Isekai NEET V2 Chapter 4

Chapter 4 - NEET, Advocating the Way of Living

“Ah, I’m so full.”

In a huge palace that made one doubt how it was built in the bottom of the ocean, Reiji was lying in a bed that was big enough to fit 10 people, in a luxurious guest room comparable to the royal suites in his original world.

“Uoo!? What’s this? A water bed! Incredible.”

He shifted his body around as if to confirm the unique feeling of the liquid.

“Oh nice, I have finally recovered from my fatigue. I haven’t taken a walk in a long time after all.”

After that──

Reiji and co. returned back to the prosperous streets on the surface again and received various hospitable services as they walked along.

From appreciating an ice show that was similar to figure skating, to touring the beautiful sceneries on a course controlled by the water currents on a ship, they were literally treated as royal guests, and afterwards, they were invited to the huge palace that was the Ruler’s residence.

There, they enjoyed a dance performance while they dined in luxurious cuisine. It was already late at night by the time they ended the formal dinner and returned to their bedrooms.

“However, compared to the other races, despite having a narrow territory, 「Sirena」 has impressive technology and funds. The meal was quite delicious, this can certainly be considered first-rate as an amusement park.”

“......Yeah.”

“Hmm? What are you being so wary of?”

“Rather ── Reiji is too lax! This place is the palace where the Ruler of 「Sirena」 lives in, you know? Something may just──”

“No, that’s the line 「Sirena」 should be saying. Some other race is lodging in the place where their ruler resides in, you know? Normally they would be anxious. Especially since Leu stands out.”

It was like that during their stroll earlier, and Leu also gathered the most gazes during their meal too.

Leaving her silver-hair and red-eye trait aside, there were various legendary tales regarding her race and her body also hosted overwhelming mana.

Compared to the 「El Blanche」 that clearly possessed superior strength, the 「Strega」 never flaunted their power. Their existence alone reflected abnormality itself.

However, it seemed that the person herself did not mind it, and was spacing out next to Reiji.

Seeing Leu without any shred of anxiety or worry, Tifalycia cleared her throat and spoke again.

“So......What are we going to do tomorrow?”

The conference and the welcome parade were both on the next day.

After telling them that, Seire and Taigoubou never touched upon anything related to the alliance afterwards.

Only welcoming them with all their effort ── their actions could only be described as such, they responded with a neutral stance until the very end.

And Tifalycia saw that Reiji, who would usually picked faults at others, was just honestly accepting the hospitality.

Although she was unable to understand what Reiji was normally thinking, he was especially incomprehensible this time.

“......Since it’s Reiji, you must have already considered this to a certain extent already right?”

Or perhaps not just to a certain extent, but it might be right to the end.

In response to Tifalycia’s inquiry, Reiji dove into the bed as if burying himself in it, and heaved a big sigh.

“Haa......How many times do I have to say it? NEE──”

“{NEET doesn’t take the initiative to work} is it?”

As Tifalycia spoke before he could finish, Reiji slowly turned his head towards her.

And as Tifalycia confirmed that he was looking over with his lazy gaze, a scheming smile appeared on her mouth.

“I already know that you will answer with this. Even if that isn't really the case.”

“......Heeh?”

He thinly smiled.

Reiji purposely shrugged his shoulders, and told Tifalycia.

“No no, it’s true. Rather, if it’s not ── In other words, if I am actually having some thoughts on it, how are you going to prove it?”

──Got you.

Tifalycia thought so in her heart.

If Reiji got interested, it would be her game.

She already thought up a plan beforehand.

Tifalycia spoke those words that she prepared over and over beforehand.

“That obviously will be decided by a 「Showdown」. I don’t mind whichever way you want to do it.”

「Showdown」.

Hearing Tifalycia saying those words, Reiji propped himself up and crossed his arms.

“Hmm? You sure seem confident. Although we’re in another country (outside), I won’t go easy  on you in consideration of reputation you know? Rather, I may play wilder than usual because of the different than usual situation we are in you know?”

Hearing Reiji’s threat that he would be mercilessly conducting the punishment game like usual,  meaning that the Ruler of 「Liberator」 would be humiliated in public, Tifalycia slightly tensed up her face, but she immediately told herself that it would be a good chance.

“......If I lose, it’s fine to do anything you want. On the other hand, if I win, what you are going to do at the conference tomorrow, what you are thinking about regarding the 「Sirena」 ── you must tell me everything.”

In order to hide her slightly faster tone, Tifalycia gave it her all to show a composed smile.

And then...waited.

For the instance when Reiji who seemed to be deep in thought to nod.

Then she unexpectedly got an immediate consent.

“Ooh, alright. Then let’s decide the actual method of the 「Showdown」.”

At the same time Reiji said so, the small magic formation signifying the establishment of contract spread──

“──Yay! I won against Reiji!”

Tifalycia exclaimed without thinking and clenched her fist.

“......Hmm?”

Seeing Reiji tilt his head at her reaction, Tifalycia spoke without hiding her excitement.

“Fu...Fufufufufu ── You haven’t noticed huh. Please try to remember. What my objective is!”

Tifalycia’s objective.

To find out what exactly Reiji was planning to do for the conference the next day, and what he thought about the 「Sirena」 ── was not exactly the case, it was to find out whether he had such thoughts or not at all.

Since it was to ascertain whether he had such thoughts or not, it was not necessary for her to hear the actual contents.

In other words ── the result of the 「Showdown」 was irrelevant.

If it was as Reiji said, that he was really not thinking about anything, the victory condition 『tell whatever he is thinking』 would not be established.

Therefore.

“This means that the instant Reiji accepted the 「Showdown」 ── in other words, the instant the 「Showdown」 was established, my objective was automatically achieved!”

She had been thinking all the while.

Those words that Reiji always repeated.

──The thing known as outcome...would be decided before the start.

That’s why Tifalycia could not win. She was bound to lose before the showdown.

However, she noticed at some point in time.

If the result was decided before the showdown started, she just had to avoid the showdown.

Taking one step further ── it would be fine if a victory for her was the establishment of the showdown itself.

“How about this!”

I’m not going to get bullied all the time anymore.

I can do it if I try──

Tifalycia puffed out her chest proudly as if to show off her wit, and watched Reiji.

She got the better of Reiji with her own will for the first time. She escaped his grasp.

That sense of achievement...how to describe it──

“......Master. It’s about time to tell her.”

At the same time Leu suddenly...

Urged so...

“Un, well, I actually knew though?”

Reiji immediately...

Responded as such.

“..................Ha?”

Her thoughts...stopped.

Before the dumbfounded Tifalycia, Reiji fluently spoke.

“Under the Great Contract Magic, the 「Showdown」 contract is established with mutual recognition and agreement. If setting the victory reward of this 「Showdown」 as 『tell me the details of what you are thinking about for the conference with the 「Sirena」 tomorrow』 is possible, then it at least proves that I am thinking about something under the Great Contract Magic for it to take place. The reward cannot be set if I didn’t think about anything. That’s how your objective is achieved ── about that? Un, I know.”

“Eh......eh......? ──Y-You accepted the 「Showdown」 despite knowing that?”

“Rather, I want to ask you back, even though it’s just to confirm if I am thinking of something, is it really necessary to do it in this manner?”

“────Eh?”

“Well, I think you should know this, but I’m not really trying to hide it from you. It’s just that telling you now is just pointless, so I didn’t say anything.”

“Geniusly...wasted effort.”

Tifalycia was unable to make a sound at Reiji’s blunt remark and Leu’s bland comment.

Tifalycia had been too conceited of her own idea that she lost sight of her original goal.

“E......Even though it was such a rare chance...to get the better of Reiji......”

When she thought that she had finally escaped, to think that she was still dancing on Reiji’s palm──

Seeing Tifalycia feel frustrated, Reiji pushed up his neck warmer, and smiled with his mouth covered.

──It seems to be progressing just as planned.

Then he immediately shrugged his shoulders.

“Well, to be able to think of making the acceptance of the 「Showdown」 itself a victory condition because you cannot win the 「Showdown」, is not a bad idea in itself, coming from you. It can be utilized in various ways.”

“I......Is that so?”

It was not useless ── Tifalycia was able to cheer up from just that much.

“Un un. I believe that you worked hard alright? ──By the way.”

Seeing Reiji’s bright smile that was unlike him, she tensed herself.

“It’s about time we do this.”

She lamented at herself for challenging a battle of despair..

　　◇◆◇

“Hoh, the courtyard here is pretty impressive as well.”

Although they told us to use this room during our stay, they didn’t say that we cannot go out ── using such an excuse nonchalantly, Reiji went out of the guest room in the palace without permission, and arrived at the big courtyard.

On the cleanly polished marble floor, clear crystal monuments were lined up neatly and gem-like corals moved the hearts of the viewers.

Looking up to the other side of the transparent arch, the ocean replaced the sky, jellyfish-like luminous creatures replaced the moon and slowly drifted about, illuminating the underwater city with a certain degree of brightness.

Idly strolling, he began to think that the Universal Paradise (Aquatera Realm) actually meant this scenery.

“Umu, being a NEET at this kind of place is not such a bad idea.”

Reiji unconsciously muttered.

“──AN!”

A protest-like voice came from 『her』 right next to his feet.

“Eh? What?”

“ANN...AN! AUAU!”

“──{I agree with that opinion, I want to cooperate so that Reiji can live a NEET life to the fullest}?”

“AUUU!? AUU...AUNN...AUAUAUUU!!”

“I totally cannot understand what you are trying to say.”

The person who coldly said that was Leu who was walking on the opposite side of Reiji with 『her』 in between.

She mercilessly told 『her』, who had a leash on her collar and was on all fours while wearing dog ears ── Tifalycia.

“Properly...speak up.”

“u...uu...uUUuu...”

“......Though I’m not qualified to say this, you are really terrible.”

The 「Showdown」 with Tifalycia ended with Reiji’s overwhelming victory. Then using the victory reward 『Do anything you want if I lose』, Reiji ── No, more accurately speaking, with Leu’s suggestion, Tifalycia was ordered to 「Absolute obedience while wearing dog ears. Walk on all fours. Speak only dog language」.

“I have also thought of taking a stroll with dog ears, but to add in the condition of speaking only in dog language ── Good job Leu.”

“I will get embarrassed if Master praises me so much.”

Due to the wicked pair who were raising their thumbs to praise each other, Tifalycia, wearing dog ears and on all fours, was grieving in tears with her face lowered.

“Auu...auu......”

She was still a Ruler if anything. She, who was originally the royal successor of the 「Elf」, was leashed with a collar and had to walk on all fours.

In addition, having to walk on all fours further emphasized the bountifulness of her breasts, everytime she lifted her knees to move, the short skirt of the dress would roll up, exposing her thighs and it was even about to expose what was beyond──

It would be an out no matter how anyone saw it.

Seeing Tifalycia, who challenged him to a 「Showdown」 without thinking about the consequences and received the penalty game after she lost, looking up to him with teary begging eyes, and Leu, who was watching such a Tifalycia with cold eyes in silence, he felt that it might have been a tad bit overboard.

“──Ok ok I get it already, 「You can speak normally」.”

The instant Reiji said so, the contract was released, Tifalycia slumped down on the spot powerlessly.

“U......Uu......That’s just...too harsh......What will the 「Sirena」 say if they saw me in this position...”

“Hmm? Do you want to hear it from them directly? Then──”

“N-No I don’t want to hear-I don’t want to hear-I don’t want to hear!!”

Leu quietly spoke to Tifalycia who flung her face up desperately trying to stop Reiji.

“What are you obstructing Master for? Sit.”

“Eh......eh?”

“Sit.”

“──”

The person who won the 「Showdown」 was only Reiji, so Leu did not have the authority to order her.

To talk in dog language was also a suggestion by Leu which was ordered by Reiji.

However, Tifalycia sat down on the spot as if the forced ordering by authority was working.

Absolute hierarchical relationship.

As if to show that off, Leu spoke even more coldly.

“Beg.”

“Au......th-that’s......”

“Beg.”

“............U-Uuuu......”

“She told you to beg! You can’t do it!?”

“Wh-Why is Reiji also ordering me!? Please stop it!”

“......Though saying that, Master never actually gave you the order. If he ordered you, you should already be begging.”

“Ah......”

That was true.

What was released was just the restriction of speaking dog language, the rest should have remained as they were.

“Why is the order......”

As Tifalycia questioned, Leu spoke while looking at Reiji.

“Probably...because Master didn’t order so from his heart.”

Receiving Leu’s gaze, Reiji carefreely answered.

“Oh, you knew? As I thought, if you never think about it and just speak out, it seems that the order function will not activate.”

Seeing Reiji’s signature evil smile, Tifalycia asked while remaining seated.

“Could it be......this penalty game is to test that?”

“Hmm? No, taking a stroll with a dog-eared elf is one of the plays that I had wanted to do long ago though?”

“......You’re the worst.”

While Tifalycia sunk her shoulders for the nth time as her hopes were betrayed, she touched her head ── the dog ears attached to her head and spoke in frustration.

“Why did you bring these in the first place......!”

Reiji did not bring along the bag that he had from his original world to the Watatsumi Palace.

To be able to take it out despite being empty-handed, it meant that he brought it along in his clothes.

“Ha? What are you talking about? Ears are obviously important.”

“No, ‘What are you talking about’ should be my line.”

“By the way, I also have bunny ears, sheep ears, cow ears.”

Saying so, Reiji took out foldable headbands with said ears attached to them from the pockets of his uniform as if it was natural.

“Why! Why!!”

“What is it, don’t say it twice just because it’s important. It’s obviously because I like them. By the way, bunny ears also have the drooping ear version.”

As Reiji took out the drooping bunny ears from his neck warmer, Tifalycia looked up beyond the sky.

“............Why...Why such a person......Aah mother, Tifalycia is in a trial......”

Taking a side glance at Tifalycia whose eyes were hollow, Leu attached animal ears onto the hood of her black robe and spoke.

“If you like animal ears so much, you could have...just joined the 「Beastia」.”

“No, what I like the most is elf ears. ──Aah, so that’s why I was summoned to the 「Elf」 huh?”

“......If that is the truth, I will seriously consider cutting off my ears.”

Fufufufu......As Tifalycia dangerously grinned, Leu spoke.

“Cut them off if you like. Then, you can just miss out the important things that Master is about to say.”

“Eh?”

The important things Reiji was about to say?

“Did you think that...Master is taking a stroll with no purpose at all?”

“......”

She thought so, she really thought so, but.

If it was something important, could it be──

“Now then, a question to Tifalycia. What is 『that』 which is in that room but not here, or rather, 『that』 which is everywhere but not here?”

Reiji raised his index finger as he gave out a sudden quiz.

“Hint would be...「Sirena」 would be troubled without it.”

「Sirena」 would be troubled without it.

「Sirena」 would be troubled without it, but not them.

The thing that was everywhere except here──

Following the direction Reiji’s index finger pointed, looking past the transparent arch, a flash came across Tifalycia.

“............Water?”

The 「Sirena」 ruled over the ocean and controlled the current.

There was a water bed in that room, but the location they were at was a place in Watatsumi Palace that unusually did not have anything that used water.

“Not bad.”

“It’s very obvious.”

Reiji grinned and Leu uninterestedly commented.

Water. 「Sirena」 that used water──

Tifalycia began to gradually understand what they were talking about, and were about to say.

“Ah ── if you answered me in that room, and if you conversed in a place with water, there is a high possibility that those girls can eavesdrop?”

Living in water, 「Sirena」 used magic related to water.

And then, the Ruler of 「Sirena」 who could clearly hear conversations at places connected to the ocean.

If it’s them, not limited to the ocean, they might be able to do the same for anything with water.

“Well, it’s convincing even if they didn’t explain it as magic. Water ── more accurately speaking, not only water, but all liquids have higher densities than gas. In other words, sound transmits at a higher speed in water than air, attenuation rate is also lower, so it’s possible to accurately hear the conversation.”

Furthermore, unlike Reiji and co who listened through the vibrations of their eardrums, they originally lived in water.

So it’s probably natural to think that they would be able to hear sound more clearly in water.

In that case.

“Assuming that their magic allows them to grasp the events happening in places with water not limited to the ocean, our conversations will all be heard. And then ── if I am the Hero of 「Sirena」, I will definitely do it.”

Reiji’s grinning face overlapped for a moment with the innocent smile of the Hero of 「Sirena」.

──Everything in the ocean is connected.

Taigoubou had said so.

Everything is connected.

Be it 「Showdown」 or Heroic War, intel controlled everything.

It was unnecessary to confirm that by now.

“H......However, they intend to form an alliance with us right......? {There’s no need to worry about intel leaking since we are forming an alliance} Reiji also......”

“Alright, a dumb child.”

“Uu.”

“I said that intel controls everything right? Not just Heroic War or 「Showdown」. Intel that leaked out is obviously intel that was intended to be leaked from the beginning.”

“Intel...that was intended to be leaked......”

“For example {Never started a Heroic War themselves} or {Hence always losing in Heroic War}, how would you judge a race that leaked such intel?”

“......I would think that it’s a race that is pacifist and dislikes conflicts.”

“I know right. That’s it.”

“Eh?”

“In order to make you think that they are pacifist and dislike conflicts, such intel is leaked out. Even though that’s not really the case.”

Tifalycia reflexively responded to the words ‘Even though that’s not the case in reality’.

“H-However, 「Sirena」 mentioned that they had no intention of fighting against the other races──”

“Does no intention of fighting against other races equal to not fighting?”

“............That’s...”

Not...the same.

Not the same, but...

“Even though they don’t intend to fight, there are times when they had to fight──”

“Is there? Really? Does the system known as Heroic War allow such things?”

“────”

When Tifalycia still belonged to the 「Elf」.

The Heroic War against 「Beastia」 over the governance of Tistel was a forced one.

They had no intention of fighting but had to fight.

However, that was only from Tifalycia’s perspective. From the perspective of the 「Elf」, it was expected.

Otherwise, the Heroic War would not even have been carried out.

Between the two races fighting against each other, if the Rulers themself did not agree, then the Heroic War would definitely not be carried out.

“Certainly, the 「Sirena」 had never started a Heroic War themselves. They kept losing the Heroic War and both the Hero and the Ruler said that they don’t want to fight. So?”

“So......what?”

“I can also say whatever I want. Are their actions matching the words they said? If they really are pacifists and disliked fighting, all they have to do is to reject Heroic War. Because a system that makes it possible exists. Then, why did they not do that?”

The Hero of 「Liberator」 laughed sarcastically.

“Always losing Heroic War, even so, they earnestly laughed ── energetic pacifist. It’s only for the sake of giving an impression that 「Sirena」 is that kind of a race.”

What was leaked...was only what was intended to be leaked.

The existing intel on them was all controlled by them──

As Tifalycia was astonished at the evidence provided, Reiji suddenly relaxed his expression.

“In the first place, despite the 「Sirena」 losing so much in Heroic Wars, they did not have a single fatal loss. It’s a brilliant way of losing, a calculated loss.”

“Even though they lost territories, is it......”

“Does the 「Sirena」 need land territory in the first place? Isn’t this already quite sufficient?”

Seire herself did say so, it also seemed that 「Sirena」 had no problem as a matter of fact──

“Low value to the 「Sirena」, but not so to the other races......Such things obviously have to be sold at a high price.”

Just like how the 「Elf」 tried to get rid of their failure by selling the obstructing Tistel to the 「Beastia」.

「Sirena」 purposely kept losing in order to plant the image they wanted into the other races──?

“Now then, this is where the next question comes in. What is the 「Sirena」 planning to do after establishing the pacifist image? What does a race that doesn’t plan to win want to do at the end?”

Reiji asked as if testing her, and she pondered over his words.

If Tifalycia herself was 「Sirena」.

What would they, who advocated pacifism, ensured self-sufficiency for the race, built the paradise known as the underwater city which other races would find difficult to accomplish, do?

The answer she arrived at, was very simple.

“......Maintaining the status quo?”

Tifalycia muttered in a low voice, while Reiji raised both the corners of his mouth hearing that.

“In order to maintain that status quo, they would make use of the chess piece known as 「Liberator」. That is the real objective of the 「Sirena」 ──Isn’t that so? The representative of 「Sirena」-sama?”

He suddenly raised his volume and directed those last words to his back.

There was not a single shadow at the entrance of the courtyard.

There was nobody ── when Tifalycia was going to ask that.

“──!?”

From the shadow of a pillar.

Wearing thin clothings, the Ruler of 「Sirena」 ── Seire Euphonia slowly appeared.

“──Y-You noticed her!?”

Rather than being surprised at Seire showing up, Tifalycia was astonished at Reiji who said all that despite knowing that Seire was there.

“Hmm? Obviously.”

“E-Even though the Ruler of 「Sirena」 is there, why did you──”

“On the contrary.”

Calmly...

Leu pointed out.

“Master came here to make sure that the Ruler of 「Sirena」 heard it all.”

“Ha!?”

Tifalycia’s mind could not catch up with the sudden change in conversation which was completely different from before.

As if expecting Tifalycia’s behavior, Reiji took a glance at Seire as he was about to explain it to Tifalycia.

“Look here. Try thinking carefully ok? They can receive transmission from everywhere except this place. If they can’t hear our voice from anywhere, doesn’t that mean we are definitely here? Just like the conversation at the beach, it seems that the Ruler of 「Sirena」-sama likes to directly confirm things for herself.”

“And so, by reading that mentality ── we can lure the other party out, and let her hear what we want her to hear.”

Things that were intended to be heard.

The real aim of the 「Sirena」 that Reiji spoke of just now was...what was intended to be heard──?

“In any case, that’s how we thought. In those regards, can you tell us how you think about us?”

“Ah──”

As Reiji suddenly tossed the ball to Seire while smiling, Tifalycia only then noticed.

Even if they tried to say things that would be disadvantageous to the 「Sirena」 directly, it was clear to them that they would be avoided, muddled through, left hanging.

In that case, creating a situation where avoiding, muddling through, left hanging could not be done, by pointing out the situation through making use of eavesdropping themselves, then following up with questions, 「Sirena」 would not be able to escape.

That was...Reiji’s objective.

Then, the Ruler of 「Sirena」 who took action just as he planned, while facing the questioning gaze of the 「Liberator」, elegantly, and magnificently ── smiled.

“──What have you been chatting about?”

Composedly.

From the front.

“I just happened to pass by here coincidentally~ I didn’t hear anything.”

Pretended to be innocent.

She even spread out her disheveled sleeves, and pleaded to Reiji and co. with her eyes.

“You can understand from seeing right? I have just returned from my bath~”

──That’s why I really don’t know anything.

Seeing that overly obvious pretentious attitude, Tifalycia stood up without thinking...

“Such an obvious lie──”

“Ok Tifalycia {Sit}.”

“──Kyan.”

She was forced to sit by Reiji’s word.

Straightening her skirt that was flipped up from sitting down with vigour, Tifalycia blushed in embarrassment and complained.

“Wh-Why did you say that now of all time! More importantly, showing this in front of the Ruler of 「Sirena」──”

“Well, don’t say that.”

Putting off Tifalycia, Reiji only focused on Seire and snickered.

“Even so. That’s how we thought. Please understand just that, got it?”

Giving a cold gaze at the end, Reiji turned around and headed back.

“Though I don’t know what you mean──”

Seire calmly tilted her head...

“I will...keep it in mind~”

Maintaining a smiling face all the time ── she quietly bowed.

　　◇◆◇

“............You are terrible.”

At the same time they returned to their room.

Tifalycia muttered so as if pouting, Reiji endured from yawning and spoke.

“Aahn? About making you sit in front of Seire?”

“That’s also very terrible, but......no, that’s actually really terrible!”

Perhaps getting embarrassed after remembering, Tifalycia cleared her throat at the end of the sentence.

“Why didn’t you tell me the truth?”

Going to the courtyard was to lure Seire out.

It was in order to tell them that Reiji and co definitely did not believe in 「Sirena」 unconditionally, and instead, held an attitude far from being friendly──

“Such a thing, there can be only one reason.”

“Wh......What is it?”

There was no point in telling Tifalycia. Or perhaps, telling Tifalycia would have a high possibility of failing ── what if he said that?

Ignoring the worrying Tifalycia...

“Too troublesome.”

Reiji’s answer could be considered more terrible than her imagination in a sense.

“............You are......”

Tifalycia was unable to come up with words to voice out the terrible treatment she received, while Reiji turned sideways on the bed and spoke.

“Rather, did I not mention it? I didn’t sleep yesterday. Let me sleep already. Ah I’ll be sleeping soundly now.”

“Ha!? You’re just leaving this hanging halfway? What do you intend to do tomorrow in the end!?”

“Not really anything.”

“......Haa?”

“Whatever happens, happens......Fuwa......Ah I’m at my limit.”

Reiji’s voice was filled with sleepiness, and he just lay flat on the bed without caring about the light.

“Wai──”

Hearing the snores after one second, Tifalycia hung her shoulders at the selfish Hero’s behavior.

Since that’s the case, Reiji probably wouldn’t wake up even if the sky itself fell.

It seemed that they had to face the next day without any preparation.

“Good night......”

Powerlessly whispering so, she was about to go out of the room.

“Where...are you going?”

Leu sat next to Reiji as if it was natural and looked straight at Tifalycia.

“Eh......I’m going to...return to my room.”

The guest rooms prepared by the 「Sirena」 numbered three.

Reiji, Leu, Tifalycia each got one.

Tifalycia intended to return to her own room.

“Here is already enemy territory. Try to...stay together as much as possible.”

“Eh......”

Though that was probably reasonable...

“......U-Umm, it may be too late to say this now, but......staying a night in a man’s room is......umm, going to have various issues right......?”

Perhaps due to carrying out 「Showdown」 in Reiji’s room most of the time at Tistel, she was already numb to such feelings, but it was unthinkable for an unmarried woman to stay in a gentleman’s room all the time.

Especially when Tifalycia had no immunity towards males ── Tifalycia peeked at the sleeping Reiji and blushed while thinking of delusional things.

“That’s really too late. Also ── how can a dog...not be at Master’s side?”

“......!? Are we still continuing that!?”

Well, she certainly was still wearing dog ears.

Usually, the penalty game should end the moment Reiji had his fill──

“Why...do you think that it’s over?”

She emotionlessly tilted her head.

Tifalycia gulped at the weird pressure she exerted.

Then, when she noticed that Leu was silently pointing at the floor, she couldn’t help but voiced out her objection.

“Please wait a moment. Even before, the only one I lost to is Reiji. There is no reason for me to──”

“Sit.”

“I......I won’t listen. I’m still the Ruler of 「Liberator」...”

“S・I・T.”

Those red pupils shone in the dark room.

“......Ah──Uu.”

──「Strega」 could cast curse magic on their opponents with only their eyes.

She suddenly recalled a phrase from the stories she heard from her mother long ago.

When Tifalycia returned to her senses, she had already sat down quietly at the spot Leu pointed.

“Obedience is...a good thing. ──Good night.”

Saying so, Leu quickly turned off the lamp, leaving Tifalycia muttering to herself.

“Uuu......What the heck am I doing......”

The mutters vanished into the darkness of the night, and only quiet breathing sounds remained.

　　◆◇◆◇◆

Easy to sleep and easy to wake up was one of the specialties that Reiji prided himself in.

No matter how tired he was, how much his body desired sleep, he would immediately wake up when something happened.

Therefore ── the instant someone sneakily crawled into the bed, Reiji’s consciousness immediately returned.

“......Oi Leu. I told you not to make a move at night──”

While complaining, Reiji turned sideways to turn on the lamp ── and puyo.

His right hand felt a sensation of sinking into softness.

“Hmm......!?”

That sensation was ── honestly speaking, it felt like breasts.

However, leaving aside Leu, even Tifalycia did not have such volume.

While calming thinking about such things, and fondling the softness in his hands as if to ascertain some things...

“──Ahn♡ ......Why only focus on one side? It’s making me uncomfortable......”

An alluring sigh and a sweet fragrance.

And that gentle tone...

“Seire Euphonia?”

Why was she...here?

Where’s Leu who would chase her away without needing to say anything?

No, what did she come here for in the first place──?

The instant he thought up to there, the small lamp at the dresser lit up, and displayed the strange situation in the room.

In the room, there was Seire with disheveled clothes, and five 「Sirena」 girls in attires that could only be described as underwear.

They controlled some wriggling tube-like things ── tentacle-like things and were rubbing their bodies together to entwine someone.

The moment Reiji understood who that someone was, he comprehended everything.

“──I see. There’s this kind of negotiation skill as well.”

“No dear~ Please call it a negotiation skill.”

Seire said so while leaning closer to him, and narrowed her eyes watching the girls.

“『Resonance』 that is used by the 「Sirena」. One of its effects is that, when we go into heat, the 「Sirena」 nearby will also resonate......so if someone touches the fluid secreted during this time, it will also have the same effect on people that are not 「Sirena」~ Reiji is slowly feeling it too, right? ──Just like those girls.”

He looked towards the direction she pointed.

The defenseless, dog-eared Tifalycia was squirming on the floor while being entwined by the tentacles of the girls, and Leu, her expression twisted from trying to hide her arousal, desperately resisted with her 『Adjacent Darkness』, but was still assaulted in various areas.

“Aa......Rei......ji......he...lp......hhnnn♡”

“......Mas...ter......uuaah♡”

The voices they raised after they noticed Reiji changed into erotic moans, they tried to cover their mouths but their bodies were robbed of freedom by the tentacles.

Shame and pleasure.

Seeing them continue moaning incomprehensibly, Reiji calmly pointed out.

“......That’s more or less considered unwilling right? What about the Great Contract Magic?”

Actions that harmed the other party were forbidden. That was not limited to simple violence, it should also apply to any forceful sexual harassment.

However, Seire just smiled brightly and replied.

“There is no problem. Though they are saying no, they’ve already accepted it in their hearts~”

“............Ah. With {Frustrated, but feeling it}, if the ‘feeling it’ part is larger then the Great Contract Magic won’t activate. On top of that, the magic that you 「Sirena」 have also has the effect of amplifying such feelings huh.”

No matter how much they hated it in their minds, their bodies were actually feeling pleasure.

Great Contract Magic would not consider superficial words, but judge based on their actual feelings.

“If the head can’t be conquered, conquer the body......I see, a good method.”

“I don’t quite understand the complicated stuff.”

Tilting her head, Seire gradually closed in towards Reiji to the point that their noses were about to touch, then pressed Reiji’s hand on her breast, and showed an euphoric expression.

“Just that ── if everyone felt good then it will be nice is what I think......”

She pushed Reiji down just like that, and slipped down her kimono.

Under the gentle light, Seire’s nude body was revealed.

The light traced out her gentle curves, her proportionate body that was desired by any female caused Reiji to gulp.

“If I leave my body to you here......I will probably have a really good time.”

“──Fufu. You will reach heaven as many times as you like~ That’s ── also for me.”

Seire brushed back her hair, slowly shifted her body to ride on top of Reiji, stroked Reiji’s cheek, and covered his lips with hers ── or was about to.

“But I refuse.”

Those short words were...

As if a magic incantation, Seire was repelled away.

“──!”

Seire fell out of the bed, buck naked, rolled into the girls who were controlling the tentacles, and rolled a few more times before stopping.

Standing up without caring for her appearance, she looked at the bed with an astonished expression, and confirmed the small magic formation that she was familiar with, then muttered.

“Don’t tell me ── Great Contract Magic?”

That should be impossible.

As Seire was about to say that, Reiji sat up on the bed, held his arms and snickered as he spoke.

“Eh? Are you having doubts? Even though you are clearly taking an action to harm me.”

He was about to be sexually assaulted ── Certainly, Seire’s action could be perceived as such.

“Impossible......! Men should not be able to refuse......the mind is one thing, but the body should not......”

Saying up to there, she covered her mouth as if realizing something.

“Could it be...you are hom──”

“No way!”

Reiji denied on the spot, and Seire’s pupils became unfocused due to confusion.

“According to Ryo-chan’s intel, you should be a virgin......”

“Ou. I’m a virgin.”

“Then, why──”

“Because you’re misunderstanding something.”

“Misunderstanding......?”

“Accurately speaking, it’s not just you. It’s the whole concept about virginity in the entire world.”

“──────Ha?”

The concept about virginity in the world?

To the sudden large scale talk...

Or rather ── to the talk that turned to a direction that Seire could not comprehend, many question marks started filling her head.

However, Reiji, the NEET Hero that came from another world, spoke as if that’s just fine.

“You almost mentioned this just now right? {Even though you are a virgin, why won’t you fall} or {Even though you shouldn’t be able to resist females} ── what a big misunderstanding.”

His tone was low and resounding.

His actions gradually intensified.

“In the world, male and female virgins are often seen as spears and castles. Male virgins are depreciated as the cowardly spears that couldn’t infiltrate a castle even once, while the female virgins are praised as sturdy castles that never fell, even once. People evaluate the castle to be sturdy, when they've never been used before ── on the other hand, why do they depreciate the unknown spear that has never been used before?”

“Th-That’s because after they actually siege the castle──”

“Actually siege the castle, fell it, then what? {Aah what, it’s only this} {It’s more normal than I thought} ──saying an impression like that and it’s all over? In that instant, the ideals held by them, the fantasies dreamed by them will all be lost forever!”

“──”

“Don’t misunderstand me, alright? Always wanting to fell a castle, always thinking of crossing that line ── but they don’t actually do it! That’s because a true virgin knows ── there is no reality that can triumph over fantasy!!”

He shot open his eyes wide and spoke powerfully.

“That’s why, in order to protect the holy territory (Sanctuary) known as fantasy from the temptation, seduction and charms of the devil known as reality, virgins will absolutely not fall before a woman! Basically──

Virgin is the way of life for a true man!!”

Therefore, Reiji had transcended his physical body, mind, consciousness, and subconsciousness, making him able to refuse such behavior──

“........................”

Everyone sank into silence to the point where it could be misunderstood that time itself had stopped.

Released from the tentacles, hearing the entire speech, Tifalycia spoke dryly to Leu who was nearby.

“............Leu-san......You may not believe it, but that is the Hero of our country......”

Tifalycia sprawled as if she had turned into a pile of sand, while Leu nodded.

“Wonderful.”

Such...instant reply.

Tifalycia slumped her shoulders, bit her teeth in loneliness and prayed unconsciously.

“────Aah great mother in heaven. Please bless Tifalycia alone to at least remain sane......”

Then, her anxiety was relayed through a streak of tears flowing down her cheek, at that moment.

“──Pu...kyahhahahahahahaha.”

Outside the window.

From a location where there should not have been any foothold, joyful laughter could be heard.

Tifalycia and co looked towards there together.

An unexpected person, but it seemed to be as expected of ‘her’.

“──Ryo-chan. I told you to leave this place to me.”

Hearing Seire’s blaming mutter, Taigoubou raised her face that was filled with tears from all the laughter.

“Kyahha...kyahhaha......A...ha...haha......A-After all, I’m at my limit......I wanted to just observe though......but it’s just too funny.”

While Taigoubou was still immersed in the lingering laughter as if she had not laughed enough yet, she wiped away the tears around her eyes, and looked at Reiji.

“Reiji-chi really...is the best♪”

Lifting up her thumb and giggling, Taigoubou then immediately changed her smile into a mischievous grin...

“Since Reiji-chi is that great, I think I will just tell you everything on this occasion.”

And said so after crossing through the window and sitting on the ledge.

“The real reason us 「Sirena」 wanted to form an alliance with you 「Liberator」 is ── because you 「Liberator」 are easy to make use of.”

Bluntly.

Continued.

“Rather, 「Liberator」 is being a real pain in the first place. Suddenly making a country, taking in weaklings such as 「Infirma」 and [Absence], isn’t that already a revolution? Even though our goal is to continue to maintain the world as it is currently.”

Taigoubou simply admitted the things that Reiji saw through and had pointed out.

“You admitted it rather quickly.”

Reiji spoke as if to add fuel to the fire.

“Is it alright? The mask of a peace seeking race you all advocated is going to be peeled off you know?”

“It won’t peel off.”

The one who answered was the chief of the race known as 「Sirena」.

Seire wore back her kimono before anyone noticed and calmly weaved her words.

“It is an undeniable truth that we are wishing for peace. I ── Us 「Sirena」 are only being considerate for your sake.”

「Sirena」, a race that blurred the boundary between individuals due to 『Resonance』 regardless of differences in sex and existence.

The ‘self’ ── ‘everyone’ they referred to were only about 「Sirena」 from the start.

In other words, that’s...

“「Sirena」 is only acting for the sake of 「Sirena」 alone......?”

Seire only returned a cold-hearted smile towards Tifalycia’s muttering.

The world peace, they said.

Only meant their own peace, it did not include the peace of 「Liberator」──

Seeing Tifalycia receiving a shock, Reiji blandly commented.

“The one that stood out politically due to being paid attention to by every race from the founding process was us. Then the geographical condition of being connected to the territory of the 「Elf」 and the 「Beastia」. Unable to become self-sufficient in food production, the weakness of being unable to survive without accepting aid from another country. A hastily built sanctum for the weak, 「Liberator」 that suddenly popped out was ── extremely easy to be used. You can even say that there is no other country that is as good as this one which will not cause a problem after squeezing it dry and throwing it away. That kind of a scheme would be considered by any race, on the other hand, it would be weird if they are not considering this.”

Hence, as a result.

“It just means that 「Sirena」 is no different from the other races.”

Reiji boringly concluded so, and looked to the Hero of 「Sirena」, signaling if she had anything to say.

“──Well, if it’s according to the generalization Reiji-chi used, it’s not wrong to say that we are the same as the other races.”

Toying the fishing rod she held, Taigoubou continued with a “However” without any malicious intent.

“Originally, the relationship between a country and another country, a race with another race, is just like this you know?”

The girl, who was once the tactician of the world’s biggest country, swung her feet and expressed her thoughts.

“The definition of world peace that I know is just the peace of the country, without any leniency for others, and I don’t intend to put my hands in any more than that from the start. I have already seen enough endings of people who were blinded by greed. Just that, we ── this race known as 「Sirena」, is at least more aware of our own position. We keep in mind where we stand.”

“Hence, with maintaining the status quo as the objective, you cut off the unnecessary territories.”

Even when Reiji interrupted, she responded fluently.

“Yes. In the case of 「Liberator」, it’s also for the sake of maintaining the status quo, so we just want to make use of you a little bit, and won’t do anything more than that. I believe that this isn’t a bad deal for you 「Liberator」 also right? Since──”

“We will be used no matter what.”

A voice strongly interrupted.

Taigoubou raised her eyebrow after hearing those words coming from an expected person, and everyone’s gaze concentrated on the owner of the voice.

“If we are going to be used by other races anyway, it’s better to be used by the 「Sirena」 ── such a thing, is it?”

Hearing Tifalycia’s quiet confirmation, Taigoubou narrowed her eyes.

“Un, yes.”

Her lips...curled up.

“Of course, that’s the fact seen from our perspective. Well, something like facts only exist in personal perspective in the first place though.”

As Taigoubou said that, Tifalycia immediately continued.

“In that case ── There should also be a fact that should exist from our perspective.”

As if waiting for her to say that, the flashy girl narrowed her eyes.

“That’s true. For example ── Establishing an equivalent alliance with us, something like that?”

Establishing an equivalent alliance.

That would the same as an inequivalent alliance to the 「Sirena」.

If 「Liberator」 held the same authority and responsibility as 「Sirena」, then 「Sirena」 would not be able to demand unreasonable things from 「Liberator」, while continuing to one-sidedly bear the demerits due to teaming up with 「Liberator」.

In other words, if 「Sirena」 wanted to gain merit in forming an alliance with 「Liberator」, then they would definitely end up with being the side that held higher authority and responsibility, resulting in a subjugatory relationship.

On the other hand ── 「Liberator」 also had a chance to establish an equivalent alliance with 「Sirena」.

Tifalycia also understood by then.

What Reiji intended to do was probably that.

“Probably, Reiji-chi’s intention is also that. Probing for information beforehand, then putting us in check all of a sudden, and let your own demands pass. ──But unfortunately. That’s also what we are thinking of.”

Seeing Taigoubou continue as if she knew everything Tifalycia was thinking, then Reiji laughed.

As if to show that he had enough of listening to such things.

“We are in parallels huh. So? What do you all want on top of that?”

Hearing the Hero of 「Liberator」 telling her that that was his objective from the start without hiding, the Hero of 「Sirena」 jumped down from the window as if she was just waiting for those words, she held her hands behind her back, and giggled.

“Want to take a gamble with us?”

“......Gamble?”

“Yes. If using Reiji-chi’s words ── something like let's decide this with a 「Showdown」?”

As if knowing that it would end up like that from the beginning...

“The contents?”

Reiji prompted her to continue.

“Reiji-chi’s virginity.”

She smiled innocently.

“Whether Reiji-chi’s virginity can be taken or not ── in other words, a virginity stealing battle, how about it?”

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