Chapter 5 - NEET, Betting on the Bet
The next day.
In the room that was assigned to Reiji.
“──Only this time, I have seriously lost faith in you.”
Tifalycia muttered with an utterly disgusted face, while Reiji also played along.
“Eh? You hadn’t lost faith in me already?”
Can’t believe it! I’m a NEET you know? Are you an idiot? ── As Reiji continued talking like that, Tifalycia’s clenched fists trembled.
“──I mean I had already lost faith in you from the start, but I have lost even more faith in you now!”
“Ehh? You say all that, but aren’t you still hopeful?”
Come come, honestly admit it already......Receiving such a reply that had obviously shifted to teasing her, Tifalycia raised her voice as she could not endure it any longer.
“~Why aren’t you reflecting!? To actually accept that ── that despicable 「Showdown」!”
Truly...a despicable 「Showdown」.
Muttering so while gritting her molars, Tifalycia recalled the matters from last night──
What the Hero of 「Sirena」, Taigoubou, suggested was utterly blasphemous to Tifalycia.
It was so nonsensical that even though she opened her mouth, no words came out.
“────Ha?”
It took all her effort just to squeeze out that single response.
Seeing such a Tifalycia, Taigoubou tilted her head and spoke up with a smile.
“Hnn? Did you not get it? Virginity stealing battle is basically competing on whether we can take Reiji-chi’s first time or not──”
“──Accepted.”
“Eh.”
“That 「Showdown」, I accept it!”
With arms folded, the one who stated that with a dignified attitude was none other than Reiji himself.
“You want to bend this solid will of mine, my ultimate faith to resist against the harsh reality, and thus, make the race known as 「Liberator」 itself submit, huh? Fu ── that spirit is praiseworthy!!”
“Eeeeeeeeeh!?”
Ignoring Tifalycia’s shout, Taigoubou clapped her hands together and said with a smile.
“Alright, it’s decided♪ Then let’s decide on the conditions now. If Reiji-chi’s first time is stolen before he leaves this country, it will be the victory for 「Sirena」and we will be the leading side in the alliance. If it’s not stolen, then it will be the victory for 「Liberator」 with you on the leading side. Ah, since it’s a contract that involves the entire race, to make the conditions available for all to see, how about going with the Heroic War format?”
Hearing Taigoubou’s saying that so lightly, Tifalycia raised her voice.
“P-Please wait a moment! To conduct a Heroic War, you have an obligation to let all the other races know──”
“Kyahha, something like 『Victory condition: Stealing the virginity of the Hero of 「Liberator」Houbami Reiji』 will be displayed, right?”
Taigoubou pointed up and added that happily.
“I──It’s not something to joke about!!”
Regardless of the outcome, doing such a Heroic War itself would be nothing but a disgrace to the 「Liberator」.
Why must they pitifully go through such humiliation!
“That’s true, we don’t mind, but if it would cause problems for you, then how about a contract just between the Rulers ── in the form of a 「Showdown」?”
“W-Well, that’s better......”
A contract involving the entire race could only be formed between Rulers.
Originally, it was only if both parties could not come to a compromise, that they then settle things through a Heroic War. As long as there was no problem with the conditions, then settling things through the 「Showdown」instead ,as Reiji said, would also be──
“That’s not the point!! V-Virg ── I’m saying that betting on that kind of thing itself is the problem here!”
“Hmm? What about it, could it be that you think I will lose?”
“N-No, that’s......”
“In this world, the 「Showdown」 cannot be established if both sides do not agree. Retrospectively speaking, what usually becomes necessary then is the thing called compromise. Things will not advance if both sides just persist on their own opinion. Then the next thing to consider is the matter on compromisation.”
“............Haa.”
“Doing a 「Showdown」 means that there is a demand. Compromising to this demand means to give up on everything. Conversely, as long as the demand goes through, one would be able to compromise everything else. Of course, in order to secure the said demand, losing the 「Showdown」 is not allowed. That’s why an unwinnable 「Showdown」 must definitely not be accepted as a compromise. However, luckily ── no matter what kind of 「Showdown」 it is, I absolutely won’t lose.”
No matter what kind of 「Showdown」 it is, I absolutely won’t lose ── Normally, one would just treat it as a joke.
However, Tifalycia was certain, it was a fact that surpassed all logic.
Certainly ── What Reiji had said was correct.
“Hence, we should accept the 「Showdown」 no matter what kind of conditions they present.”
That’s right, even this virginity stealing battle.
For an instant, Tifalycia agreed with him thinking that it was the natural course of events.
“──Ah.”
A moment later, she noticed that she was completely deceived.
“Wai...Just now──”
Just when she was about to refute it, between Tifalycia and Seire ── the two Rulers, a small contract magic formation spread out.
“AAAAAAAAAAH!?”
No one reacted to Tifalycia’s scream.
“Now then, please treat us well tomorrow♪”
In the end, she could only see off Taigoubou and others without being able to do anything.
“──I still feel angry when I recall it.”
As if chewing on a bitter bug, Tifalycia grumbled.
“How can the fate of 「Liberator」 depend on Reiji’s ch-chastity......the content of the 「Showdown」 is also extremely limited......In the first place, deciding on the alliance that will affect the fate of the races using v......vir......it’s too imprudent......”
Although Tifalycia was deceived, she still felt angry at herself for establishing the contract of the 「Showdown」.
“Hey are you listening!?”
“Hmm, I’m not.”
Immediately answering, Reiji unusually stood before a mirror and checked his appearance while speaking.
“Hey, I’m looking forward to what kind of a 「Showdown」 it will turn out to be.”
“......Looking at the contents itself, Master will profit even if you lose.”
“Yes, that’s right! As expected of Leu, you do get it huh.”
“Profit even if you lose......don’t tell me you intend on losing──”
“Eh? Hmm, what should I do?”
Heh heh heh
“Y-You despicable Hero......!”
──No good. If I don’t do something......!
If it continues like this, 「Liberator」 might really lose.
The alliance formed would save 「Liberator」 from the immediate crisis, but it would surely be led down the path of being squeezed dry by the 「Sirena」 and then thrown away.
Regardless of what Reiji is up to, for the sake of 「Liberator」, she must absolutely prevent his chastity from being stolen.
When Tifalycia made up her mind with a strong determination, Leu, who got next to her unknowingly, muttered.
“Even though you should just be honest with yourself.”
“......Ha?”
Honest?
“A game that bets on Master’s virginity. You should just say that you don’t like the idea.”
“............I did say that...with such intention though.”
“If you haven’t noticed yourself, then never mind......It doesn’t change...what I want to do.”
She flung her robe as if signifying the end of the conversation, and walked straight towards the door.
At the same time Tifalycia tilted her head wondering what Leu was trying to tell her...
“Please excuse us ── everyone from 「Liberator」. We have come to pick you up.”
The door of the room was knocked on, and 「Sirena」 girls entered.
◇◆◇
Three 「Sirena」 girls.
──What could they have come to do?
While Tifalycia was being cautious because of what happened the day before, one of them stepped forward and politely bowed.
“Nice to meet you. We will be in charge of guiding you all for today’s welcome parade. Please treat us well.”
“Please treat me well, Onii-chan♡”
“............Hello.”
It was easy to tell apart the types of the three girls who all wore a similar white one-piece.
The first girl was an older sister type who was full of tolerance and maintained a smile the entire time; her body had womanly curves and her chest was especially incredible.
The second was a cheerful twin-tail type, she seemed to be the youngest amongst the three, but her mischievous expression mysteriously gave off an erotic feel, making her seem like a little devil who played around with a man’s heart.
And then, there was the icy girl who did not even look at them when greeting them. Her body was on the slender side to put it nicely, or flat bluntly speaking. She was conscious of it herself, but put on an unsociable behavior so that others would not know ── just like a stray cat that would need time for it to get close to you, and would be loyal once intimate.
Seeing the clearly different traits of the girls which was obviously arranged on purpose, Leu muttered.
“『Big breasted Onee-san that soothes your soul 』 『Twin-tailed Loli Imouto with an impish nature』 『Flat-chested and unsociable Tsundere』 ── I see, they have a good grasp of the points.”
“Ha?”
Not understanding the majority of the terms that came out from Leu’s muttering, Tifalycia was full of question marks.
“Leu, you need to cut back on absorbing unnecessary knowledge from my tablet, got it?”
Reiji threw in a retort and went into thought.
“However......fumu.”
After carefully examining the girls, the Hero of 「Liberator」, correction, the NEET Hero spoke in a serious tone.
“Is this telling me to pick the one I like from amongst them?”
Before Tifalycia could retort to that inappropriate sentence...
“Wh......What is this person saying?”
『Flat-chested and unsociable Tsundere』 drew back.
“Ah, Seire-sama told us that saying such impolite things is a no no, remember?”
“Ufufu, that’s right.”
『Twintailed Loli Imouto with an impish nature』 and 『Big breasted Onee-san that soothes your soul 』 reminded her...
“B-But......”
“And didn’t you say that the Hero of 「Liberator」 may be your type earlier?”
“Wha──th-that’s!”
“Huh, your face is red, onee-chan.”
“S-Stop it......”
The blushing 『Flat-chested and unsociable Tsundere』 looked at Reiji bashfully...
“I-It’s not true ok......!”
And turned her head away.
“Hmm? Then, I shall take him.”
Saying so, the『Twintailed Loli Imouto with an impish nature』 hugged Reiji’s arm as if it was natural before Tifalycia or Leu could even react.
“Wai...Wait!”
“Ehe. Hey, Reiji Onii-chan, they’re unexpectedly big, aren't they?”
What are? Before Reiji could ask back, she smiled seductively, stood on her tiptoes, and whispered into his ear.
“Breasts♡”
After saying that, she hugged Reiji’s arm even tighter.
Certainly ── that soft squishy feeling made him realize that she had more of a woman’s allure than a girl’s charm.
“──Oh my. In that case...”
Staying calm throughout the exchange until now...
The『Big breasted Onee-san that soothes your soul 』 hugged his other arm opposite to the 『Twintailed Loli Imouto with an impish nature』.
In an instant, Reiji could feel the overwhelming volume.
Words like big or soft were not enough to describe it.
It was a euphoric feeling that could not be described with words.
“How is it? Reiji-sama.”
She narrowed her eyes and gently smiled, while the other two girls started complaining.
“Mu, unfair! There’s no way I can win against that! ──Alright, in that case, I will...”
“......I’m the flattest anyway. B-But, even I──”
And then, seeing the girls push aside their duty of guiding them to the welcome parade and instead trying various ways to appeal to him...
Reiji started laughing as he could not endure it anymore.
“Hahahaha ── What’s this? A real life galgame?”
Towards Reiji who seemed to have completely ignored the surrounding eyes and just indulged himself as he went with the flow without suspecting anything ── Tifalycia sent a glare, and muttered.
“......You’re definitely enjoying this no matter how I look at it.”
Could it be that...he really intends to enjoy this virginity stealing battle──
While Tifalycia was thinking about those things, the girls had already held onto him, and had started to move away while flattering him.
“Hey, let’s go to a place where we can be alone together, Reiji Onii-chan.”
“My oh my. Have you already forgotten your job? ──But maybe there is some extra time before then.”
“Wh-What are you saying......I do know of such places within the palace though.”
“Eh, are we doing 4P? Well, doing that occasionally may also be nice.”
Hearing them openly speaking about such things as if there was only Reiji in their eyes, Tifalycia blushed.
“Wai ── Are they just casually discussing about something dangerous......!?”
“If you think so, then why don’t you try stopping them?”
“H-However......As the Ruler of 「Liberator」, doing that would be──”
While she was saying all that, Reiji and the girls disappeared before their eyes.
“Eh──”
As Tifalycia opened her eyes wide in astonishment, Leu calmly pointed out.
“Below.”
Looking down at the central garden after she heard that, Tifalycia saw the three girls using their tentacle-like things which had assaulted her last night, entangling Reiji in them as they waved their hands towards her.
“Ruler Onee-chan, sorry! I will accompany you in my boy form next time.”
『Twintailed Loli Imouto with an impish nature』 spoke as the representative, and they left just like that.
In an instant.
Faster than she could blink her eyes.
“──So.”
Leu appeared from their shadow.
Using the black robe 『Adjacent Darkness』 with only her will, she snatched Reiji back immediately.
“Where is the welcome parade?”
She calmly asked.
◇◆◇
After that, the beautiful girls from 「Sirena」 continued to attack Reiji.
The girls in charge of guiding them to the welcome parade weren’t just those three.
“We have been given the duty of cleansing the precious bodies of our important guests from 「Liberator」.”
Like the 『Prideful ringlets Ojou-sama』 who stripped naked and latched onto Reiji after she brought them to the bath house...
“......U-Umm...Umm...Uh......I have come here to ask the Hero-sama of 「Liberator」 for help.”
Or the 『Devoted misfortunate girl』 who came to ask for help but offered up her body before they could even give a reply...
“Aah......Hero-sama......Please, please show me mercy......I will die if I don’t receive Hero-sama’s essence......”
Or the 『Lustful Denpa girl』 who threw out various strange settings and stretched her hands out directly towards Reiji’s crotch, etc.
He couldn't help but be impressed that they could actually prepare so many different types of girls and held respect for them who used their various traits and methods to try and steal his chastity.
Reiji did not outright reject any single one of them.
In exchange, when they were just about one step away from crossing the line, Leu obstructed them with absolute certainty.
Tifalycia watched that script-like play acting before her with a blank expression, feeling all the more astonished at the unity of the 「Sirena」 as a race.
It was just last night when Taigoubou had talked about the virginity stealing battle.
After that, it was not known how she gave out the instructions, but to be able to organize them with such consistency in just a matter of a few hours could only be described as simply amazing.
She could clearly judge that the 『Resonance』 used by 「Sirena」 was extremely effective in the unification of their intentions.
......Well, more importantly, she was frustrated that Reiji did not reject any of them and welcomed them no matter what their personalities were.
Like that, while slowly moving in the middle of the street as she rejected the overly enthusiastic hospitality of the girls, Tifalycia spoke to the constantly grinning Reiji.
“......You seem to be having fun.”
“Ain’t that obvious? No man would not be excited in this kind of situation.”
“Didn't you say that you don’t like matters regarding love or affection?”
“......? Where do you see any love in this?”
“──Eh?”
He blatantly replied.
Tifalycia became speechless.
She felt that she had just caught a glimpse of Reiji’s core, or rather, there seemed to be a much more fundamental issue──
“What Master is talking about is probably lust. As a living being, even if you feel an attraction towards the opposite sex, it does not necessarily mean that it’s love or affection.”
“Umu, well it may be like that, but......it feels a little different than simply getting excited due to lust.”
“However, love and affection will definitely contain lust. In other words, love and affection are nurtured through lust.”
“No, does that even make sense? Well, but like this, should I say that I’m excited because I’m popular, or instead for the fact that they are all moving for my sake?”
“......It doesn’t matter.”
Letting out a sigh, Tifalycia cut off the unproductive conversation going on between those two.
Anyway, she understood that Reiji was simply enjoying the situation that they were in.
She wanted to believe that he was thinking about something like usual, or rather she would be troubled if he wasn’t, but she probably wouldn’t receive an answer even if she asked him seriously.
In that case, it won’t be good if at least I don’t think of something ── As Tifalycia was thinking about that, Leu suddenly spoke to her.
“I have a good idea. It’s troublesome constantly being attacked like this. A breakthrough is needed. So ── you need to act as bait.”
“Ha? M-Me?”
“In the end, the aim of the 「Sirena」 is Master. They will not harm you. You should take a different route and regroup with us.”
“No, that’s not the case, if it’s about being a bait, then Leu-san also──”
“Can you protect Master?”
“......Uu.”
It was Leu who was saving Reiji from the dangers all this while. If it weren't for her 『Adjacent Darkness』, they might have already received the finishing blow.
In fact, even this place that they had escaped into that seemed like an alley without any water around was also the result of using 『Adjacent Darkness』 to move around.
“It’s not really a difficult request. You just need to stand out and slightly disturb the pursuers. The title, Ruler of 「Liberator」, is useful for this kind of stuff.”
The place the Ruler of 「Liberator」 was at would be where the Hero should be at. Making the opponents think as such and luring them away, while Reiji and Leu move towards a safe location──
It was certainly logical.
It was logical, but...
“There is no time for you to think about it. It will be over if we are found.”
“......I-I got it.”
Hearing the urging tone, Tifalycia panicked and nodded and moved towards the main street.
After confirming that she left...
“Master come this way.”
Leu grasped Reiji’s hand and advanced in the opposite direction.
◇◆◇
Clamors could be heard coming from the main street.
It was probably due to Tifalycia successfully attracting their attention.
There did not seem to be any sign of them searching through the alleys. They would be able to get away from those girls like this at least, but...
“......So. What are you doing since just now, Leu-san?”
Further into the alley than before.
At a dead end in the dim alley, Reiji was pushed to the wall by Leu.
It could be considered as a kabedon[1] situation.
Reiji was pushed against the wall, while Leu stuck her body close to him and looked up at him with a fervent gaze.
What took away Reiji’s freedom and restrained his body was 『Adjacent Darkness』, but it was on Leu’s order, so it meant that Leu was the one who took such an action.
Reiji could not understand the reason......No, he could understand, but he asked to confirm it anyway.
“A good idea.”
“Ah?”
“The 「Showdown」 between Master and the 「Sirena」 is for 「Sirena」 to steal Master’s virginity in order to win. In other words...”
“............If someone other than the 「Sirena」 steals my virginity, then their winning condition will be gone, huh?”
Yes ── If Leu stole Reiji’s virginity, then 「Liberator」 would not lose from that moment onwards.
Therefore, basically...
“With this, even Master cannot refuse.”
Leu showed a triumphant expression, while Reiji started muttering with a stiff face.
“Although it does make sense──”
“Then there is no problem.”
“Being able to assert that ‘there is no problem’ like that is a problem in itself no matter how I think about it though!”
“Master.”
Entangling their arms and legs together, pushing her face closer...
Clanleu Shimishika said in a whisper.
“I am...serious.”
“No, like I said, that kind of objective and the method is ── Mugu!?”
Leu forcefully stole his lips him halfway through, while Reiji could not put up any kind of resistance and could only let her have her way.
Her tongue relentlessly seeked for Reiji in their mouths.
While her nestled body on top of him was petit, he could not help but be conscious of her two elastic like bulges.
When a feeling different from the suffocating restrain started to take over──
“──You better stop it!!”
Reiji forcefully twisted his face away, struggled out and took some distance from Leu. Seeing Leu’s expression that seemed hurt, he scratched his head and spoke.
“Like-I-Said......How many times do I have to tell you that I am not interested in this kind of love and affection? You better give it up already.”
Blunt and cold words.
In a situation where Reiji could only put it like that, he made a troubled face, then continued as if he did not mind it anymore.
“In the first place, winning with this method has no meaning.”
“............No...meaning? Winning or losing, isn’t that all there is to it?”
“Normally speaking, yeah.”
Reiji answered as if it was natural, causing Leu to furrow her brows.
“The things that Master is thinking about......I often cannot understand.”
“Ain’t that obvious? I won’t feel at ease being with someone who understands me inside out.”
“I want to understand. I want to understand Master inside out.”
“......I think I also told Tifalycia before, but even a child can make it if you just look at the victory or defeat before your eyes. The problem is what comes after that.”
“After...that......”
“............Un. No. Like I said, can you stop whispering seriously like this while pushing me down?”
“Since I cannot understand Master using Master’s ways ── I will use my own rules to understand Master.”
“Although you are saying sensible things, it’s just you acting on your desireeees!!”
Leu ignored Reiji’s scream.
If Leu stole Reiji’s virginity, then at least 「Liberator」 would no longer lose.
Perhaps that just cause led her to be so forceful about it.
Just when he thought ── She’s seriously going for it, no joke...
“──You two seem to be having quite a lot of fun.”
The savior...appeared in the nick of time.
Arms folded, Tifalycia looked down at Reiji and Leu with a stiff face and continued in a low tone.
“Driving me away with a justified reason ── did you think that I wouldn’t notice it?”
“............You are not as dumb as I thought.”
Leu immediately withdrew, and spoke while staring at Tifalycia.
“However, what I said is the truth. If we steal Master’s virginity, then this 「Showdown」 will be over.”
“......Th-that’s......but...”
“The embarrassment only lasts an instant. If you cannot do it, I will.”
“Y-You can’t! S-Such kind of thing, umm......b-both parties must confirm their feelings before doing──”
“......Ah, sorry to disturb the heated debate which has left the party concerned alone, but...”
Reiji interrupted with an uninterested voice, and pointed to the road with his thumb while still lying down.
“Pursuers. They are coming, yeah?”
The 「Sirena」 girls that appeared soon afterwards forced the 「Liberator」 party to withdraw immediately.
◇◆◇
Four huge pillars stood at the four corners of the floor, which was made out of a single marble stone.
Surrounding the big circular plaza were the 「Sirena」 girls.
That place, which seemed like the venue for the welcome parade, was full of 「Sirena」.
It was said that in this world, the 「Elf」 would be at the top if talking about handsome men and beautiful women, but seeing that there were only pretty girls in that place, the 「Sirena」 would definitely not fall behind.
From amidst them, Seire and Taigoubou led the most beautiful girls and came closer.
“Yah, morning♪”
“Are you having fun?”
Taigoubou greeted them with a cheerful voice, while Seire spoke elegantly.
Seeing their unchanged attitude as if nothing had happened the previous night, in contrast to Tifalycia who was seemingly confused, Reiji shrugged his shoulders with a mischievous grin.
“So so, I guess. Although continuing with such a straightforward approach wouldn't be a bad idea, if you don’t prepare something unexpected...”
──Even though you were enjoying it so much just now......!?
Tifalycia was about to retort on reflex, but Seire started giggling before she could.
“I’m beat. Those girls should have given it their all, though.”
That...fully confident smile.
Seeing their confident attitude, Tifalycia suddenly felt uneasy.
What is it?
That bad feeling just now.
She wanted to ask Reiji about it, but immediately stopped herself.
She had to think about it herself.
Why Taigoubou, and the rest of the 「Sirena」 were so composed?
Virginity stealing battle. The 「Showdown」 that decided the fate of the two races.
Even though all the advances by the 「Sirena」 had failed.
In the first place, Reiji made use of the rules of the Great Contract Magic to reject Seire last night.
That’s right, while it was not being used at the moment, but when push comes to shove, Reiji could make use of that absolute rejection.
Even though the 「Sirena」 were in a disadvantageous position from the beginning of the 「Showdown」.
Why did Taigoubou pick such a 「Showdown」──
“Well, though ── It’s great that Reiji-chi seems to be properly having fun.”
Taigoubou nonchalantly muttered those words.
──Having fun?
The meaning of those words caused Tifalycia to open her eyes wide in surprise.
Turning around, she drew closer to the Hero who maintained his grin.
“Reiji......! Don’t tell me...you cannot use the Great Contract Magic anymore......!?”
“Hmm? You say using Great Contract Magic, is there anyone who can do that?”
“Not that! It’s about the Absolute Defense Magic of the Great Principle!”
Under the Great Contract Magic, any act of causing harm to another party was forbidden. A defense magic would forcefully activate against anyone who tried to break that absolute law──
As long as one was a resident of this world, regardless of the race, everyone knew about the Great Principle of the Great Contract Magic.
Making use of that system, Reiji determined Seire’s act of stealing his chastity to be a 『Harmful Act』, but...
“──Speaking about 『Harmful Act』, it is an unconscious subjective judgement in the end, right?”
As if it was obvious.
The Hero of 「Sirena」 spoke cheerfully.
“Therefore, no matter what or how the mind (logic) rejects, if the body (feeling) doesn’t, it won’t activate, so Reiji who is enjoying the current situation obviously cannot make use of that♪”
──As expected.
Seeing those girls making a straightforward approach, Tifalycia did not feel any sort of anxiety.
That was because she saw Reiji’s actions last night.
He rejected Seire by using the Great Contract Magic. If that was possible, even without Leu’s obstruction, they would probably not be able to cross that final line.
However, they also understood that.
Even so, they continued to assault Reiji, all to make Reiji enjoy the situation itself.
By enjoying the game itself, the obstinate conscience that Reiji had over his virginity ── the objective of neutralizing that absolute rejection was achieved.
“......They got us......”
Seeing Tifalycia mutter in frustration, the person in question, Reiji, spoke as if it was nothing.
“Aah about that. It was obvious that I wouldn’t be able to use that the moment we accepted this game. If not, the 「Showdown」 itself couldn’t be established in the first place.”
Hearing Reiji saying that he knew about it from the start, even the last bit of relief deep within Tifalycia’s subconsciousness disappeared.
With that, the advantage they held was gone──
“Well, putting that aside.”
A clear clapping sound echoed.
At that moment, water pillars erupted and formed an arch of light above their heads.
With the artistic water and light magic show as background, the Ruler of 「Sirena」 smiled calmly as if the 「Showdown」 never happened.
“Please relax and enjoy.”
She elegantly bowed.
In an instant, a volley of flowers made of light bloomed like fireworks, the girls standing by behind Seire started to dance in unison.
Melody flowed everywhere, accompanied by sighs of admiration.
Light and music. A beautiful scenery monopolizing their sight and hearing.
Tifalycia, who had been shoved to the rural land of Tistel, was probably more susceptible to the thrill of the unknown than normal.
The illusion that the space itself had become a single piece of art immediately robbed away Tifalycia’s ability to think──
“──!”
A strong grip at her wrist quickly brought her back to reality.
It was the black robe Leu used which had grabbed her right hand.
“Wh......What is it?”
As Tifalycia asked reflexively, she noticed a fragment of emotion, which was unlike her, appearing on Leu's face.
“──Master has...disappeared.”
As she pointed out that fact, Tifalycia’s eyes opened wide.
◇◆◇◆◇
The elk divine beast served Taigoubou in The Creation of the Gods.
Reiji finally understood why the said divine beast was not serious when they left Tistel.
“......Instantaneous huh.”
Leaving aside Tifalycia, the opening that Leu showed was probably within a millisecond.
In that millisecond of a gap, Taigoubou rode her elk and abducted Reiji to this place.
A dark and narrow room without a single ray of light entering from outside.
A large bed with curtains and a small table occupied half the room.
Books were piled up messily and many strangely flashy small accessories were scattered around.
There was no door, the window was the only entrance to that space. It seemed to be Taigoubou’s private room ── private mansion.
The elk moved way too fast, he was unable to remember the path they took, but he could feel that they moved downwards.
Seeing how the sky was narrow, there could only be one location he could be at.
“──Ehe. Are you surprised that I live in the underground residential area of the 「Infirma」?”
Next to Reiji who was lying face-up on the bed.
She supported her face with her hand and snuggled up close to look at Reiji’s face, close to the point that he could hear her breathing.
Reiji readily answered.
“Well, speaking of hermits and taoists, they should live in the Deified Realm ── mountains secluded from civilization.”
It was a fact that they gave off a strong image of living on higher grounds.
However, considering the meaning of seclusion from civilization, this place might also fit the description.
Not sure if Taigoubou knew what Reiji was thinking or not, she smiled in satisfaction and whispered.
“Fufu, Reiji-chi sure is honest about such matters.”
“Ah? What such matters? There is nobody else who is more honest in various aspects of living than me.”
“Eh? I wonder about that?”
A teasing tone.
Narrowing her eyes, she tilted her head, then moved even closer ── and stopped right before their lips were about to touch.
Her hand reached for Reiji’s chest as he showed no signs of resistance.
She caressed his skin underneath his clothes without any ulterior motive.
Seeing Reiji frown at the sensation of her cold palm, she licked her lips and sadistically laughed.
“Are you going to continue enduring even though your body is already like this?”
Her whisper was very pleasing.
Unlike those straightforward girls, such actions that could not even be considered teasing, caused Reiji’s heart to beat faster regardless of his own intentions. He ignored it and laughed.
“......You, aren’t you actually Datsuki[2] and not Taigoubou?”
“Then, maybe Reiji-chi is Chuuou-sama[3]?”
“Haa? I can only be Genshitenson[4].”
“Kyahha, in that case, you should be Shinkouhyou[5]. Even though he shouldn’t be there originally, he gave off a feeling of being added in.”
“Ah, doing whatever he likes , portrayed however the story writer interprets him, he’s certainly the free and easy type. ──Well, I don’t have the intention of being any of the characters in the first place, though.” (TL note: Japan’s version of Shinkouhyou is portrayed differently from the Chinese tale.)
Reiji started laughing aggressively, while Taigoubou stuck to him nonetheless and softly blew at him.
“You seem to be desperately trying to prevent this kind of atmosphere from building up, but ── it’s useless♪”
Her voice.
It gave off a mysterious seductive allure.
“Six Secret Teachings Dragon Strategy Twenty Seventh Chapter.”
Shaking off the sudden whisper which seemed to stab right into his heart instead of entering his ears, Reiji emotionlessly answered.
“──『Victory or defeat all depends on whether you can create an advantageous situation 』”
“Bingo♪”
Taigoubou smiled as if feeling relieved, then spoke.
“I believe that Reiji-chi being so smart should already understand ── ever since the beginning, I have been making moves just for this very scenario.”
From the very beginning.
From the instant she fixed her sights on the Hero of 「Liberator」.
As the Hero of 「Sirena」, hailed as the incarnation of strategies, the unparalleled tactician, Taigoubou, had been manipulating everything for the current moment.
Suggesting on going with a virginity stealing battle obviously, even leading the topics towards love and affection, observing the behavior and relationships of Reiji and the girls involved, the direct assaults by Seire and the 「Sirena」 girls, checking their reactions to it as well.
Everything was for this situation ── all for the sake of analyzing the Hero called Houbami Reiji in detail, and bringing him to a private space for a one-to-one which was most suitable to make him fall.
“The place the hermit lives in ── Deified Realm, can also be called as Utopia.”
Taigoubou’s voice was helplessly comfortable.
Even without using Senjutsu, external information could be fed through the five senses, and greatly affect the mind regardless of the person’s will.
For example, a fragrance with a certain effect, a sound that was played at certain intervals, objects intentionally placed──
If one was able to comprehend, grasp, and make use of those things, it would be possible to guide a person’s mind, Reiji, a specialist in that field, knew that clearly.
The fragrant smell of the incense drowned Reiji’s rationality and logic in a sea of pleasure, small accessories deliberately spread around the room effectively diverted his concentration which he tried to gather ── an absolute euphoric setting orchestrated purely for the sake of Reiji, who as a male, regardless of his own will, would desire for the female before his eyes.
In that place, the switch of logic would be turned off, with only bare desire driving his every action──
“Now ── come here.”
Taigoubou spread out her arms and spoke with a gentle voice just like an affectionate mother.
Unable to resist the ferocious instinct that dominated his entire body, Reiji pushed the delicate girl down onto the bed to roughen her up regardless of his own will.
The occasional whimpers were the best melody.
That feeling alone made him feel like he was about to reach the heavens.
Entrusting his body to the exhilarating impulses of pleasure, his hands reached for her clothes while he rode atop her──
And started laughing haughtily.
“......?”
He laughed and laughed and laughed.
He was helpless as he swung around, unable to control his surging emotions.
The free man brimming with smiles spoke.
“What a coincidence. I’m also the same.”
“......Eh?”
Seeing her shocked reaction, he shifted his face closer.
Sinking in the joy of conning people, the Good Neighbour (Social Hacker) ── the ingenious con artist Reiji (One Sec0nd) curved the ends of his mouth up.
“I’m saying ── I have also been preparing for this very scenario.”
Irresistible.
Even if he had to throw away his rationality regardless of his own will.
As long as he could savour the pleasure of having the situation within his expectations, it would be possible for him to control it.
With further external simulation attacking him, he could feel his brain heating up from an unusual level of pleasure, as Reiji mercilessly whispered to the girl below him.
“Didn’t I tell you? The moment I recognized your existence, I read the 『Six Secret Teachings』. Not what’s written in it, you know? It’s the personality of the person who wrote it.”
The unparalleled tactician.
The righteous taoist who sealed the evil deities.
Such superficial stories did not matter to him.
What would that Hero think about, what she hated, what she liked, how would she take action?
What Reiji looked at were only those.
The person known as Taigoubou.
“Despite possessing a much higher level of intelligence than normal people, you use flashy decorations to hide your interior, observe the reactions of those surprised by your flashy appearance and analyze them. This is a common tendency among philosophers who are interested in human psychology and behavior principles. Those kinds of people even seek theoretical perfection in their own course of actions ── leading to a very easy and comprehensive result.”
Just like the current situation with her concentrating on Reiji alone.
“And then, it’s very easy to turn the tables against such people by using some of the minor details discarded by them. ──For example, just like this.”
At the same time Reiji whispered that.
She ── appeared from the shadow casted by Reiji.
“It’s your loss.”
The 「Strega」 girl Leu quietly announced.
◇◆◇
“......Huh? Shouldn’t LeuLeu only be able to move to places she has been to at least once before?”
Staying in the position of being pushed down by Reiji.
Hearing the grumbling question from Taigoubou, the 「Strega」 [Quad-Blood Princess] Clanleu Shimishika spoke.
“──Yes. However, in a way it can be considered that I have come here before.”
“Considered?”
Reiji answered Taigoubou’s doubt.
“You should have already ascertained what can be considered as achieving the 『Come once before』 condition.”
While speaking, Reiji showed his right hand.
Seeing a small piece of black cloth wrapped on his ring finger ── Taigoubou opened her eyes wide.
“......Aah, so that’s how it is.”
What was wrapped around Reiji’s ring finger was a piece of Leu’s 『Adjacent Darkness』 that could move in the shadows.
In other words.
“So the condition is not for LeuLeu to visit a place beforehand, but rather it's the cloth-chan, huh. I’ve been had.”
Taking a side glance at the sighing Taigoubou, the person who hadn’t spoken yet finally opened her mouth.
“......However, Reiji did not even tell Leu-san about wrapping that on his finger.”
Tifalycia made a displeased face for some reason and stared at Reiji while pursuing the topic further.
“What were you going to do if Leu-san did not notice it?”
“Eh, it’s useless to think about such an impossible situation.”
The irresponsible Hero did not let Tifalycia feel relieved at all.
“Anyway, you are going to say that you don’t care about our worries......and say that we got worried of our own accord──”
“Un, yeah that’s right.”
“Please don’t go confirming it!”
Seeing Reiji and co starting their usual banter...
“......Kyahha.”
Still lying on the bed, Taigoubou regrettably spoke.
“It didn’t go well after all huh. Un what a pity♪”
In contrast to the contents, her voice was clearly cheerful.
Tifalycia felt confused by that and secretly observed Reiji's reaction.
Tifalycia herself had absolutely no idea what had happened here.
......Rather, she thought that Reiji had already crossed the line when she saw the scene before her all of a sudden, but since Taigoubou said 『It didn’t go well』, he probably had not done so.
“It was really close though......Reiji-chi seems to really like such pleasurable things. Perhaps it might work if I directly appealed more to your rationality?”
“That won’t work. Erotism appeals strongly to the instinct and the feelings. Appealing to rationality instead won’t get you any response.”
“Muu, but then, in Reiji-chi’s case, did the rational pleasure of 『Deceiving people』 overwhelm the erotic appeal to your instincts?”
“Strictly speaking, calling it pleasure already cannot be considered rational. I don’t know if you are saying it from the meta perspective or what, but do you think that you can completely separate instinct and rationality in the first place?”
“I can’t refute anything if you put it like that.”
Taigoubou nodded seriously, then heaved a heavy sigh.
“Well, it’s true that it didn’t go well, I guess I will just obediently give up. ──This time.”
At those words...
“......? This time?”
Tifalycia reacted to the words her sharp ears picked up at the end and asked back.
“Hmm? Did I say something strange just now? It’s not like this event has any effect on the 「Showdown」, you know?”
“────Ha?”
Seeing Tifalycia’s reaction, Taigoubou lifted the corner of her lips.
“Hey hey? Are you perhaps misunderstanding something here? What did I set the conditions of the 「Showdown」 as?”
“That’s──”
── If Reiji-chi’s first time is stolen before leaving this country, it will be the victory for 「Sirena」, the 「Sirena」 will be the leading side in this alliance. If it’s not stolen, then it will be the victory for 「Liberator」 with you on the leading side.
“It’s about whether Reiji’s......vir......ginity...chastity is stolen or not.”
“Un un. That’s right, that’s right. ──So, did I mention until when?”
“Until...when......?”
Time limit.
Time limit was──
──If Reiji-chi’s first time is stolen before leaving this country.
As Tifalycia repeatedly ruminated over that sentence, she realized it.
That they had not finished the 「Showdown」yet.
“Ah──”
“Have you understood? As long as you all are still in this country, nothing is decided.”
Taigoubou’s smiling face suddenly looked creepy.
In exchange of Tifalycia who took a step back...
“──Even at this point in time, you really don’t know when to give up.”
Leu was the one who spoke with a cold tone.
Leu’s black robe started sprouting thorns, making her seem irritated.
Perhaps, she felt frustrated that Reiji was abducted due to her momentarily letting her guard down.
However, she did not reveal any of that on her face thought, and blandly spoke.
“You...the 「Sirena」, should have realized that you already lost the moment you stated that condition.”
“Eh? What do you mean?”
She tilted her head, and put an index finger on her lips.
Taigoubou first showed an expression that said 『I have no idea what you are talking about』, then struck her palm with her fist and spoke.
“Ah, perhaps, are you talking about making use of that cloth-chan to get out in an instant?”
Shshshsh.
Leu’s robe became more rowdy, not because it was astonished at the fact that it was being pointed out.
It was because her tone was clearly provoking.
However, she stuck out her tongue as if not noticing anything...
“Ah sorry sorry. I just thought that you wouldn’t do that kind of boring thing, so I forgot♪”
Towards Taigoubou who hinted 『You won’t do that right?』...
“No? I’m using it though?”
Reiji answered without any shame.
“Well, I do want to see the magnificent tactics that you have planned out, other than that──”
He peeked at Tifalycia after pausing for a bit.
“──There were things I wanted to check out with my own eyes, so I stayed behind. Since I have achieved both of my objectives for now, there’s no reason not to use it.”
“Ehh......I think it’s better if you don’t do that.”
As if she was like Reiji.
Seeing the giggling Taigoubou, Tifalycia’s sense of incongruity increased.
What was she...
What was she trying to say?
“Certainly......in the perspective of 「Sirena」, you would be troubled if we used that.”
Tifalycia herself had been neglectful.
Due to the condition of the 「Showdown」 being what it was, 「Sirena」 would win if they took his virginity, while 「Liberator」 would win if it was not taken, she had not paid attention to the proper winning condition.
However...
“No no that’s not what I mean ── You can’t use it anyway.”
At the same time as she said that.
『Adjacent Darkness』 made one big tremble.
Then it transformed into an ominous shape, as if implying that it was about to deal a fatal blow to her anytime.
“......Master.”
Towards Leu who muttered that short word...
“Nn. It’s fine.”
Reiji immediately replied.
The black robe stretched out and covered Leu’s body, then its figure sank into the darkness──
Nothing happened.
“......”
Once again, the black robe did the same thing and Leu tried diving into the shadow ── but could not.
No matter how many times she tried to dive into the shadow, she continued to fail.
Tifalycia watched that incomprehensible phenomenon with astonishment and finally let out those words.
“Wh──What are you...doing......?”
Could it be?
Could it be that──
The person who answered that question was not the wide-eyed Leu.
“You can’t use it right♪”
Taigoubou’s lips curved into a smile, she then got off from the bed and spread open her arms.
“Because ── I have forbidden it.”
She stuck out her tongue.
Tifalycia saw the 『Three Convened Jade』 shining brightly on her chest and became speechless.
◇◆◇
The Capacità possessed by the Heroes who were summoned to the Universal Paradise (Aquatera Realm), Realtà.
Like Napoleon (Pauline), the Hero of 「Beastia」, who used the absolute command authority 「Impossibile does not exist (Impossible n’est pas francais)」 with conditions attached, those who had alternated the history in their original world could make use of the power of Destiny to demonstrate special magical abilities, which represented the Heroes themselves.
Taigoubou had many significant influences in military arts and future militants in history, was highly active in strategy making within the Deified Realm in stories.
The Realtà she possessed was...
“「Spilled Water is Hard to Retrieve」 ── I call it the 「Absolute Single Use Ability」 though.”
「Spilled Water is Hard to Retrieve」 ── It meant 「Water that is spilled out already is difficult to recollect」.
That idiom was a famous quote passed down by Taigoubou in history.
The water that was spilled from a bowl could not return to it again.
What was done once could not be done again.
In other words.
“Abilities that are used once before me ── be it magic or Realtà, will become unable to be used again. Cause everything can only be used once in nature♪”
As Taigoubou was smiling cheerfully, Leu tried using her 『Adjacent Darkness』 many times, but the result never changed.
It moved according to Leu’s will. Its shape could transform as many times as it wanted. However, only moving within shadow could not be done.
Most likely, unless Taigoubou cancelled the restriction herself, usage of any ability would be forbidden.
Such an effect was very significant.
“......Seriously, Realtà is such a cheat that I can do nothing but admire it.”
“I would be embarrassed if you praise me that much you know?”
“I’m not praising you.”
Taigoubou made a peace sign towards Reiji’s sarcasm.
With that, 「Liberator」 had lost their method of escape from this country ── equalling to losing their way of fulfilling the victory condition.
“I said it just now, I ── We have been making preparations for this scenario. Therefore...”
At the same time as Taigoubou changed her posture of holding her fishing rod...
Several girls entered the room riding on Elk’s back.
They were──
“We meet again, Onii-chan♡”
With the intimately smiling 『Twintailed Loli Imouto with an impish nature』 at the lead, they were the persistent girls who attacked Reiji straightforwardly.
“......There’s no creativity.”
Reiji gave a sarcastic comment, while Taigoubou composedly smiled and spoke.
“Is that so? By the way, LeuLeu won’t be able to use Cloth-chan to save you anymore.”
Taigoubou nonchalantly spoke and looked at Leu.
“......”
She opened her eyes wide as she finally comprehended that all the abilities of her 『Adjacent Darkness』 were sealed.
“──Don’t you dare lay a finger on the Hero of 「Liberator」 ── Ah!?”
Tifalycia who stood before Reiji was easily neutralized by the tentacles those girls controlled.
“Now that your only chance at victory is gone, what’s left is our victory only......you see♪”
As if Taigoubou’s speech was the signal...
“Now Hero-sama......With us ── let’s feel good together.”
The 『Big breasted Onee-san that soothes your soul 』 already closed in and stole his lips ── right before she was about to...
Bathump.
The 『Big breasted Onee-san that soothes your soul 』 trembled, blinked her eyes as if she couldn't comprehend what just happened.
“──......? Nn......wh-wh......ah...y......”
The waves of pleasure repeatedly surging up from deep within her body caused her to twist her body and her expression melted──
“Kuu...nn...ah...aaaaaaaAAAAAH!”
And she climaxed.
Pushing aside the girl who lost strength in her knees and leaned towards him, Reiji’s lips curved up and he coldly declared.
“If you want to feel good so much ── enjoy it alone.”
Saying so, he walked towards the girls who were confused about what had happened ── and accurately caressed their precious spots.
“Nn──ah...aAAAH!” “Kuh──Fuu...NNaAH!” “──ah...HaAH!” “......Ah...NnnnAAAAAAAH!”
Watching those girls twisting their expressions in pleasure and collapsing one after another...
The Hero of 「Sirena」 finally understood what Reiji did.
“────Don’t tell me......Mana spot?”
Anyone who possessed mana had a mana spot, an organ that was unique to the races of this world.
The higher the amount of mana one possessed, the more sensitive that spot would be. It also functioned as an erogenous zone, its location varied from race to race, and even individual to individual. It was impossible to grasp the location for anyone except their partners ── or so should have been the case.
“When you want to observe someone, you should first and foremost take notice of that person’s subconscious actions.”
As the last girl fell, Reiji said those words at the same time.
“If you regard consciousness as light, subconsciousness as darkness, then look at the darkness. Do that and the light will definitely reveal itself ── like this.”
Because he was the Good Neighbour (Social Hacker) who observed, analyzed, and manipulated other peoples’ actions ── it was extremely easy for him to discover the things that the other party wanted to hide.
The reason why it was so easy was because it was practically a daily routine for him.
With his back facing those girls who were lying on the floor agonizing over the pleasure with some even fainting from it, Reiji casually spread his arms open.
“Being conscious about wanting to make the other party feel good is fine, but wouldn’t it be a problem if they became careless of themselves when providing said service? And more importantly ── reaching the conclusion that our side’s winning condition disappearing would equal to losing.”
An annoyed attitude.
Words that contained some joking element.
Staring straight at her ── eyes that were not laughing.
The Hero of 「Liberator」 who subjugated the girls with just his right hand.
“──Kyahha♪”
Taigoubou curved the corners of her lips upward.
“I would never think that way with Reiji-chi as the opponent. Just that, well──”
She swung her fishing rod while speaking.
A sudden gust blew away one side of the wall ── and revealed the inner room.
“Reiji-chi should be the one not jumping to conclusions here, right?”
Along with her light-hearted words, faint light brightened the area, revealing various 「Sirena」 girls standing by.
That itself was not something to be surprised about. It would be unnatural to think that she had not prepared at least that much.
Therefore, the problem was...
“Wh──What’s with that number?”
Tifalycia was astonished at observing over a hundred girls moving towards them as far as she could see.
As if to represent those girls, the Hero of 「Sirena」 smiled.
“I see, Reiji-chi is actually a lady-killer who can handle a certain number of simultaneous assaults, and even counter assault ── However, then, I wonder how it will turn out when that number changes to dozens, hundreds of them♪”
“......That kind of question cannot even be established.”
No matter how excellent the technique he possessed, even if his technique could be praised as one tier higher than others, it could only be used on an individual.
Using anti-individual technique against an army would be a category error (not even worth mentioning) in short.
“If individual won’t do then multiple, if multiple won’t do then even greater quantity. 「Sirena」 has lesser population compared to other races, but ── isn’t that already enough to swallow Reiji-chi and you girls up?”
Pushing an index finger under her chin, Taigoubou humorously winked at them, making Tifalycia feel a chill run down her spine.
──She was really preparing for this situation from the start.
Originally, when making a contract related to the entire race, the more important the content, the more unlikely was the non-violent diplomatic method.
Because there were things that they would never compromise on, in order to push through their own opinion, they would often end up using the last method of having a Heroic War.
Normally, even the alliance between 「Liberator」 and 「Sirena」 this time should have resulted in that.
However, it did not turn out like that, and ended up being a game to steal Reiji’s chastity, a peaceful method at a glance.
Originally, if they were getting assaulted by over a hundred 「Sirena」 citizens, there was no way the Great Principle of the Great Contract Magic would not activate.
However, since it was part of a peaceful game and Reiji himself was enjoying it and accepted it, the activation of the absolute defense magic became impossible.
That’s right, it was made impossible.
By none other than her.
“Nn? What is it♪”
The brighter and more cheerfully Taigoubou smiled, the scarier she looked to Tifalycia.
And by her hands, the 「Showdown」 was about to be decided──
Before that.
“──Hah, oi oi you got it wrong after all.”
Reiji...
Annoyedly shrugged his shoulders.
As if he had always been waiting for that moment ── he grinned.
“I see, certainly, it has become a little troublesome to achieve our side’s winning condition. That is not wrong. Seriously makes me want to slack off when thinking about that.”
He heaved out his usual listless sigh, but more than that, his mouth curved into a crescent moon shape from the joy that he felt from the bottom of his heart.
“So, what about you? How are you going to achieve your victory condition?”
That question...
Made everyone in that place except Reiji frown.
When everyone was thinking about why he was asking such an obvious question...
“Hey Tifa. How do you think you can achieve it?”
“Wh──Why did you throw the question at me?”
Tifalycia was confused when she was called out, and also due to being called Tifa, she spoke a little quickly.
“There’s no need to make me say such embarrassing things at this point in time──”
“Not that. That’s not what I mean. ──But well, let’s see. I want to ask you what that embarrassing thing is in detail.”
Reiji snickered, while Leu immediately continued.
“When Master and a 「Sirena」 girl have intercourse ── the instant when they have sex.”
Hearing Leu saying it out without a tint of embarrassment, Tifalycia blushed.
Then, before she could complain...
“Un un, since we are talking about losing chastity here, that’s what’s going to happen. Because that is the case, it is absolutely impossible for 「Sirena」.”
“Absolutely impossible for 「Sirena」......?”
“Kyahha, isn’t that a little too hard to believe? In fact, when this number of people assault you, even Reiji-chi──”
“If you think so, then just try it. Since it’s impossible.”
An attitude that could only be seen as a provocation.
Hearing Reiji’s sarcastic tone, Taigoubou narrowed her eyes.
“──You cannot regret it later, alright?”
She swung her fishing rod.
The girls immediately rushed towards Reiji the male ── and collapsed right in the next instant.
Not only that, they witnessed a situation where even the girls standing by at the back twisted their faces in ecstasy without Reiji even touching them, and had trouble standing.
“......What is...this?”
She could not comprehend it.
With his sharp observation ability, Reiji could locate the 『Mana Spot』, and neutralize them by stimulating those areas. However, that was only when it was an individual to individual case.
It was physically impossible to handle that many people, and how did those who were not touched by Reiji fall in the first place──
......They fell without Reiji touching them?
“──Don’t tell me!”
“Correct, Hero of 「Sirena」.”
The Hero of 「Liberator」 stroked their 『Mana Spot』 in pursuit, and spoke with the girls falling like dominos as background.
“『Resonance』. If we forcefully switch on their pleasure switch, the 「Sirena」 will resonate on their own. Didn’t I tell you that? Being conscious about wanting to make the other party feel good is fine, but it would be a problem if they became careless of themselves when providing said service. ──Well, it’s also because I have controlled them to experience a pleasure beyond their expectations though.”
Living things that possessed emotions were weak against unknown and unexpected stimulations.
And then, even if they could judge the pleasure they would receive based on someone else's reaction, they would still not be able to accurately imagine the level of pleasure that they themselves would experience.
Furthermore, as they did not expect to be on the receiving end, the ultimate pleasure that they all achieved through the chain effect could literally bring them to heaven.
Seeing Reiji composedly standing there pointing at the fallen girls, Taigoubou bit her lip and spoke.
“Even so......why is Reiji-chi not affected, I don’t get it.”
The 『Resonance』 used by the 「Sirena」 did not only affect the 「Sirena」.
If anyone came into contact with the fluid they excreted at that time, they would also share the sensation.
Of course, as the fluid vaporized, breathing in the air alone was enough to be affected. In other words, everyone at that place received the effect.
In fact, it was obvious seeing Tifalycia who had already dropped to the ground and Leu who was resisting the pleasure with a burning red face, even Taigoubou also could not deny her own body heating up.
Why was it only Reiji?
As the only male, being surrounded by all the girls, Reiji should be the one who should be finding it most difficult to resist the temptation, why could he still stand there so composed──
“Like I said, you are mistaken. What did I define virginity as?”
“......Define?”
Reiji’s...
What did Reiji say in that idiotic speech?
──That’s why, in order to protect the holy territory known as fantasy from the temptation, seduction, and charm of the devil known as reality, virgins will absolutely not fall before a woman!
“Kyahha......Are you saying that that kind of lip service speech actually works?”
“Obviously not. It works because I believe it from the bottom of my heart.”
“──”
That was not intended as a joke going along with the flow, nor an impromptu excuse or a theoretical hypothesis.
Because the Hero known as Houbami Reiji had believed it from the bottom of his heart in his everyday life, no matter what kind of temptation there was, he would absolutely not fall.
“......That’s a lie.”
It was unbelievable no matter what he said.
Even if he mentioned that it was already known, even if it was within expectations, there was no way rationality could suppress feelings. A person who could do that was already not a human.
......Not...a human?
The words Taigoubou had casually thought of gave her a lightning-like jolt.
For example.
For example, like a hermit who had reached enlightenment after obtaining the fruits of his cultivation.
The will of a person who seeked and researched with only a single goal ── would be unmovable no matter what kind of disturbance there was.
Could it be that the Hero standing before her had already reached that state?
“............No no no.”
Taigoubou shook her head to get rid of the stupid idea and rearranged her thoughts.
No matter what, it was a fact that Reiji was not affected by the temptations.
With a firm conviction, he remained standing.
Regardless of the reason, that alone was the solemn truth.
“By the way, our winning condition is much simpler than you think, you know? Since we just need to get out of here.”
“......Fufu, that’s pushing it a little, Reiji-chi. The 「Strega」 LeuLeu has formed a contract that forbids the usage of magic, the [Absence] TifaTifa doesn’t have mana in the first place──”
“Unfortunately, Tifalycia has a『Mana Spot』.”
As Reiji said so, Leu poked Tifalycia’s ‘that spot’.
“──Hyiiuu!? P-Please don’t do that all of a sudden!!”
Ignoring Tifalycia’s loud complaint, Reiji lightly brought his right hand forward.
“As shown in the ancient [Seventh], in a pure comparison of strength, 「El Blanche」 will overwhelm the rest, in a comparison of magic, 「Strega」 will definitely not fall behind. There is such a magic expert and a closet pervert with just plenty of mana here. Now, with this many cards on your hands ── how will you escape this situation?”
Like a casino dealer, Reiji made a courteous bow.
Taigoubou looked at Leu and the black robe wrapped around her body, then spoke out the obvious answer.
“..................Like teaching TifaTifa how to use the 『Adjacent Darkness』, by LeuLeu.”
Magical Artifact, a magical tool that could be used by responding to magic.
If the user was changed, the Magical Artifact would be recognized as a new ability, and escape from Taigoubou’s Realtà 「Spilled Water is Hard to Retrieve」 which forbade repeated usage.
Of course, even though he overthrew the premise of [Absence] having no mana, it did not mean that she could use a Magical Artifact which required an enormous amount of mana and technology equivalent to magic. Hence, there was no knowing how long it would take.
However, Tifalycia was also a miko who had performed the ritual magic of hero summoning before becoming the Ruler. She might just be able to get the knack of it quickly.
Then, the 「Liberator」 would stand at a greater advantage compared to the 「Sirena」 that had their numerical advantage work against them.
“Well, there’s no need to use that troublesome method though. For example, the gate we passed through when you brought us here. There wouldn’t be only a single one right? Since this place is built as a sightseeing spot for other races, I don’t think you have to use Senjutsu for every little thing. 「Infirma」 being here means that there is a need to have a passage for them to go through. There is no way that they must ask for permission for that kind of matter. Wouldn’t I be able to find out if I just ask the 「Infirma」 around?”
“────”
“Of course, there’s no way you had not expected that so you must have made preparations beforehand. Though that can easily be deduced since you only prepared for the 「Infirma」 beforehand, and as long as there’s a gate to the outside, there are a number of other ways to get there. Like──”
One by one.
As Reiji listed out the ways of escaping, Taigoubou unusually lost her expression.
Of course, she obviously had more cards in her hand.
Even if the numerical advantage was gone, there was still the geographical advantage. As long as she aimed for the gap of her opponent, or fought a battle of attrition, there was still a possibility.
However, the sure win scenario she had put in all her effort to prepare, guide, and create...
Were all broken down easily by him.
And in a way that was beyond her imagination.
“......I say, Reiji-chi.”
When she realized...
Taigoubou had unconsciously said those words.
“Who ── are you exactly?”
Those words did not seem to contain any hidden meaning.
Even Taigoubou herself did not know why she asked that question, while the Hero of 「Liberator」 just showed an unmotivated grin.
“I’m just a NEET. I don’t do things I don’t want to do, I only do things I want to do, a person who wants to live freely in this world. ──Well, due to that, I can comprehend a little of others who wanted to live freely, that I am aware of.”
His sharp glare was in contrast with his relaxed expression.
She felt that his incomprehensible atmosphere could swallow her up──
“──I’m beat.”
A clear voice...
Was heard from the back of the rows of girls.
The girls parted to the left and right, and the person who quietly walked through the path naturally was...
“......Seire Euphonia.”
As Tifalycia muttered her name, the Ruler of 「Sirena」 returned an elegant smile and looked straight at the Hero of 「Liberator」.
“Looks like you are just as you were rumored to be.”
Being praised by the leader of the 「Sirena」, Reiji laughed like he was relieved.
“Oi oi, don’t praise me like that. ──Well, it’s the truth though!”
“This person......”
Reiji puffed out his chest without reading the mood, Tifalycia retorted in astonishment, Seire covered her mouth and giggled.
“To think that it really became like this......just like what Ryo-chan told me.”
That unexpected whisper...
“......Just like what Taigoubou said?”
“Ufufufufufu.”
Hearing Tifalycia’s mutter, Seire smiled.
Smiled. Smiled. Smiled.
She smiled as if she was full of confidence that she knew everything ── and looked at her Hero.
“As expected of Ryo-chan.”
“──Right?”
Taigoubou received her gaze with a smile and then pointed towards the sky...
“That’s why...I’m glad ── for doing this first...that is.”
At the same time she finished speaking.
The sky above their heads ── The ocean disappeared, and the real sky further above appeared.
The phenomenon probably happened in the entire world at the same time, there was no way Tifalycia could forget it.
Heroic War, the only battle between conflicting races where the non-violence limitation was removed.
What was written on the huge magic formation that spread out in the center of the Great Contract Magic was...
“──「Sirena」 Taigoubou VS 「El Blanche」 Jeanne d’Arc......!?”
1 Kabedon - http://yabai.com/p/2703 ↩
2 Datsuki - 妲己 (だつき) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daji ↩
3 Chuuou - 紂王 (ちゆうおう) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Zhou_of_Shang ↩
4 Genshitenson - 元始天尊 (げんしてんそん) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yuanshi_Tianzun ↩ 5 Shinkouhyou - 申公豹 (しんこうひよう) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shen_Gongbao ↩
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