44 – Accumulation
Upon returning to the purple tower, the tower master, Yuna, was visibly flustered.
To be more precise, with a strangely reddened face, she held the hem of her skirt with one hand, pressing it down while pulling her thigh inward, moving very cautiously, and looked at me with widened eyes, visibly flustered.
Already struggling to pull down her short skirt, it was half-clinging to her hips instead of her waist. Because of that, a glimpse of her lower abdomen was visible between the skirt and the top. It was fair skin.
I cast the self-restraint spell once more. It allowed me to remain composed.
“Why are you so fidgety?”
“I-I, it’s because… it seemed fitting…”
“What?”
“Oh, it’s nothing! How was your hometown trip…?”
“Well, it was alright in its own way.”
In my past life, the family environment wasn’t great, and it seems like history is repeating itself this time around. More importantly, I confirmed the allegation of human trafficking associated with the purple magic tower.
Pimbalèze explained that the likelihood of the entire purple magic tower being involved in human trafficking was extremely low. The first reason was that if there were such large-scale movements, the Imperial Defense and Security Bureau would have obtained intelligence.
The second reason was that they didn’t need people, especially not a dark wizard. Although he wasn’t a dark wizard, there was a fair amount of human involvement in the research conducted at the purple magic tower, around 70% of it, to be precise. Research that turns happiness into pain, among other things.
Pimbalèze’s arguments didn’t completely dispel my suspicions. The only certain thing is that there is no certainty.
And when in doubt, just ask.
If you mutter behind someone’s back and it leads to misunderstandings, it becomes a mess. I confronted the tower lord directly.
“Lord of the Tower, do you have something to hide from me?”
“Wha-What?!”
Even if he admitted it, it didn’t seem like there was anything to hide to this extent. It’s the face of someone who has too many prickly issues and doesn’t know where to start. I sat on the office sofa and tapped my knees.
The tower lord, like a sloth, always hung something long and loose from my body when he was bored, so he had prepared a place for it in advance.
“Sit down and talk. Us.”
“Now is a little awkward… I-I’ll just stand here!”
“……..”
It’s a bit awkward for two grown-ups to stick together. Even so, I felt a little disappointed. It’s like when a puppy that always begged to play suddenly says, ‘I don’t want to play with you.’ A chilly autumn wind sweeps through your heart.
And he’s not even an animal, but a person. I felt more than just emptiness; I felt anxious. Did I do something wrong? Did I act tricky when I went back to my hometown with Pimbalèze alone?
My thoughts became complicated.
No, let’s stay calm. If I ask step by step, everything will be clear. The tower lord is not someone who plays twenty questions like an ex-girlfriend. If I take it step by step, my unilateral misunderstanding will be resolved.
There are two things I want to confirm. The allegation of human trafficking at the purple magic tower and how the tower lord sees me.
I definitely chose the purple magic tower. I remember that choice. I liked Yuna, the lord of the purple magic tower. I felt a clear sense of family from her. But what does she think of me?
The class difference is clear. I’m a commoner’s child, and she’s of noble birth. The difference in status is also clear. She’s an accomplished grand magician, and I’m a mediocre magician who can’t even do low-level magic.
Actually, even if she sees me as a pet or a toy, it doesn’t seem strange. Thinking that way explains a lot. The overly aggressive physical contact, to the point where it seems like she doesn’t see me as a man.
If that’s the case, it’s natural for her to hide things from me.
Favors for the weak are only offered when pity can be harvested.
It was the same in this life. The child from the rural village, plowing potatoes, didn’t have anything and ended up being sold by my father.
I was scared.
I spent a whole decade with Matapju. The courage to ask her directly now comes from the trust built up over the years. Stay calm. We’ve been together long enough, and I… I think we’re close.
Don’t get trapped in negative thoughts alone. Repeatedly doubting oneself is not like me. The chance of getting closer to the truth is also low. I have to ask. Human trafficking, what she thinks of me, buying and selling, my father who sold me, the neighborhood, but, ex-girlfriend, family…
When my head started spinning and I punked out, my mouth moved on its own.
“Do you regularly buy other men?”
“⋯⋯?!”
“No, what I want to ask is, Matapju, do you like me?”
“⋯⋯??!!!!”
“I mean, do you, by any chance, collect people without me knowing…?”
“⋯⋯!!!!!!!!!”
————-
I’m receiving emergency treatment.
Matapju, who declared a yellow alert seeing me babbling nonsense with my eyes rolling, told me to lie down, providing a knee pillow. I lay down obediently.
I had been lying in the direction of Matapju’s stomach and thighs, but today, the usually sensitive Matapju delicately stumbled over words, saying, “If you don’t turn your head the other way right now, I’ll kill you.” So, I had no choice but to lie facing outward.
Matapju’s hand swept through my hair. Even though it started off gently, her mischievous nature suddenly took over, and she casually tied it up. My hair became a palm tree before returning to its original state.
It felt ticklish. A bit embarrassing too.
Playing with my hair, completely absorbed, Matapju began humming a tune while braiding my hair. What will happen to my hairstyle?
Thinking I should break this slightly awkward and hesitant atmosphere, I spoke up.
“Can I touch your calf?”
“What kind of vague request is that?”
“In negotiations, you should start with something big.”
“Just how trivial were you planning to ask for…”
Surprisingly granted permission, I gently touched the back of the calf. It didn’t have any particular meaning; maybe it feels good to touch something soft and squishy, like slime.
“…”
“Hey!”
As I continued to lightly tickle, like stroking a feather, Yuna-Punch walked by and hit my head with a bean. So, I switched to massage mode.
She seemed to like it, staying still. Turning my head to check, Matapju had her eyes half-closed, observing the surroundings. Fluffy clouds floated around Matapju.
Watching her quietly, it seemed she liked it. Turning my head to check, Matapju had her eyes half-closed, observing the surroundings. Fluffy clouds floated around Matapju.
Observing her quietly, it seemed she liked it. Turning my head to check, Matapju had her eyes half-closed, observing the surroundings. Fluffy clouds floated around Matapju.
I talked calmly about the events in my hometown. I even mentioned my suspicion that the purple Matap might be involved in human trafficking. It was no different from asking someone directly if they were a criminal.
If Matapju was really a human trafficker, this was a very dangerous thing to do. Asking a criminal in the Mafia if they were a criminal would probably result in getting shot. Still, I wanted to say it.
As I opened up, I realized what I was most worried about.
I didn’t want to be abandoned.
This life was good. Matapju, who cared for me even when I acted a bit crazy, was good. Even if Matapju turned out to be a wicked sorcerer who captures people and offers them up, I wanted to convince or be convinced.
So, please, in whatever form, if we can continue to goof around like this together──.
“Erelelelele.”
“Huuaaak!!”
In the midst of a sentimental mood, the sudden appearance of Reverse Erelelele made me scream in terror. As tentacle-like things entered my ears, I wondered if Matapju, revealing her true colors, was finally attempting to can my brain into a can.
I know. This was supposed to be a really thankful event⋯⋯!
It was supposed to be sweet even if not romantic, but the double-layered libido suppression spell had unintended side effects. Once the desire was taken away, all that was left was horror. It was really terrifying.
Looking at my pale, trembling face, Marquis Matapjoo also trembled.
After mustering up the courage, the response turned out to be a thriller, leaving a deep scar in my heart. I felt like I was having a mental breakdown. Where should I start explaining this?
“W-why do you hate it so much, you⋯⋯?! I-I tried so hard because your ex-expressions were strange.”
“N-no, it’s, it’s not that. I-I’m under a libido suppression spell⋯⋯.”
From Noble mtl dot com
“Y-you were under such a spell⋯⋯ No wonder!”
“Marquis, wait, just a moment. That’s a really bad idea, I’ll break the spell⋯⋯!”
Snap.
With a light flick of Marquis Matapjoo’s hand, the libido suppression spell was completely broken. Memories of the past flashed through my mind like a panorama. The thirst, the nights together, the showers together, the curves of the body that were clearly felt through all the senses───.
“Oh.”
“⋯⋯Your, your nose is bleeding!”
“Ugh.”
“T-tissue, where are the tissues?!”
Exaggerating it by 30%, I thought I was going to die from excessive bleeding.
————-
Is it the tradition of the royal purple Matapjoo to destroy a serious atmosphere?
After taking a bath and brewing a warm cup of herbal tea, I sat facing the table. To stage an elegant conversation among cultured people.
The libido suppression spell was cast again. I knew that there would be side effects if I cast it twice, so just once.
Gulp.
“The tea is truly fragrant, Mademoiselle.”
“The tea, the taste is truly delightful, um… Mister?”
“You haven’t had it yet.”
“…You always used to drink it!”
Slurp.
After savoring a sip of the steaming tea, Matapju spoke.
“There’s nothing to hide. But, hiding things is better for you, only the good ones.”
“So, do you admit to the accusation of trafficking in purple Matap?”
“…No, not really. At least, since I took office as Matapju, buying slaves and using them as test subjects is also prohibited. I’ll investigate the village and Matap for you. If someone is really collecting humans, that person will become a cactus.”
The idea of turning a person into a cactus was so unimaginable and frightening.
In Matapju’s eyes, slow-swirling heavy emotions were evident. She ‘strongly’ disliked selling people.
Relieved, the purple Matap wasn’t the den of human trafficking. I erased item 2 from the whiteboard in my mind. Good. Now, only item 1 remains.
1. Someone, possibly impersonating the purple Matap, is consistently procuring people.
“If the culprit is here, who do you think in Matap is it?”
“…I don’t want to suspect hastily. They are all family. Instead of singling out and investigating someone, they want to set a trap. It could be a possibility of impersonation.”
“What if you get hit on the back of your head and get hurt?”
“I’m strong, I’ll be fine…! I’ll win everything…!”
It sounded cool because it was a statement full of confidence. How strong could one be to confidently declare victory without hesitation? In that case, I can leave the Matap side of things to Matapju and rest assured.
“Now, the second matter.”
“Huh?”
“Is there something strange about my head, something you suspect?”
“…Maybe heads are naturally strange?”
“Judging by the way you’re avoiding the question, it’s something I shouldn’t know?”
“Yeah.”
Firm. However, what brushed against the eyes of the demon-worshipper was a glint akin to a morning star. Staring intently, the demon-worshipper slowly blinked, like a cat closing and opening its eyelids. Roughly interpreted as a cat, it means a sly one.
Should I trust?
Yeah.
I chose to trust.
Instead of trusting, I playfully asked,
“Even if I’m doing nothing, you’ll save me?”
“Yeah, I’ll save you.”
“Why on earth?”
“Because you’re my first friend… I guess.”
“……”
“Purple demon people used to be scared of me before you came. It felt more distant than being with the same kind. Even though we were both in the demon realm, I only researched separately. I didn’t deliberately try to approach anyone.”
“You were cute when we first met.”
“Yeah, thanks to you. We played pranks on each other, shared stories, and that’s how we became able to do that.”
“I only remember the research.”
“Yeah, that research. Collecting data for the sessions, telling every person I met a ‘Sad Story Masterpiece,’ or sprinkling ‘One Wish Coupons’ claiming to scan physical data… It was a hassle to collect those. Excuses like scars on the face senior wanting to switch bodies once gave me a headache.”
“Are you changing the subject because you feel embarrassed?”
“⋯⋯Yes.”
…She’s a friend.
Yuna says it’s thanks to me, but strictly speaking, I’m the one who’s received help. Even now, I’m only receiving help.
The long-cherished simulation is already complete. Now, I just need to maintain it sporadically and gradually upgrade the versions. All while enjoying my hobby, TRPG.
There’s so much I want to show. The charm of TRPG lies in being able to enjoy a world from a higher standpoint. With the simulation, the possibilities become even broader. Showing the sea to those who have never seen it, showing family to those without one.
If one dreams of being a hero, I can make them a hero. If one dreams of being a knight, I can give them a strong physique. If one desires love, I can give them a lover, and if one longs for struggle, I can give them an adversary.
Slowly, I can manipulate the prince and princess and even obtain the Dragon Heart. With an almost infinite power source, I might even be able to open a “server” that operates permanently like in game fantasies. I could even create a completely open world.
But these are all as good as already achieved.
So, my life’s goal slot remained empty.
Even if I don’t repay the favor tenfold, I wanted to give back as much as I received. To Yuna, who looks at me. I hoped to be of some help to her.
To never forget this thought, I wrote it down in a place in my heart that will never be submerged.
I will soon be going to the academy. I will be separated from Matopju for a while.
I briefly pondered what I could do to help Matopju there. And soon, I realized. What a magician needs is a larger budget. The budget increases with Matop’s popularity.
“⋯⋯Are you having strange thoughts?”
I should entice the academy students with fantastic magic viral.
And it would be good to create wonderful memories from my school days. There are plenty of enjoyable events that could happen at the academy, all stored in my mind. The Tower of Trials, Hidden Pheas, raising fantasy pets similar to Tamagotchi, and even bizarre martial arts that are worthy of praise.
————-
“Your Highness.”
“Next, explain the relationship between the factions within the academy. There are two major factions. The Gold Faction and the Rose Emblem Faction. The Gold Faction revolves around the disciples of Gold Matopju, who are the key figures, and is based on the overwhelming power of Gold Matopju──”
“Your Highness.”
“The Rose Banner Faction, also known as the Noble Faction, is an organization that revolves around the illegitimate daughter of Duke Baekryeom. Despite their limited wealth, they are a faction with distinctive leadership and a broad mind within the academy──”
“Your Highness⋯⋯!!”
“Don’t interrupt the flow, you insane sorcerer. Why?”
Second Prince Eirid crossed his legs and looked down at me with a stern expression. Clearly, even though I was taller, how could he look down on me like that? Is it the vision of the royal family?
I flipped the expression of genuine curiosity and spoke.
“Why do I have to listen to all this?”
“You need to understand the power structure of the academy so that you can make decisions and play your part without getting into trouble.”
No, that’s not enough. The curiosity was that of a seven-year-old boy. The constant repetition of ‘Why?’ until the curiosity is satisfied──!
I hardened my heart and fired another ‘Why.’
“Why?”
“So that you can carry out your duty as an academy professor by making informed decisions and not getting cut off.”
“Why?”
“Because only then can you use your abilities to enhance the overall strength and practical experience of the academy students.”
“Why?”
“Reinforcing the academy’s strength will simultaneously boost the empire’s national power and firmly establish your position within the academy.”
“Why?”
“A strong position in the academy is necessary for long-term stability, allowing you to closely monitor and apprehend the dark sorcerers like Fracti who have infiltrated, ensuring you can deal with them effectively.”
“Why⋯⋯ But really, why?”
“Because I ordered it.”
“Ah.”
Somehow, the conditions seemed favorable, not for a casual visit to the academy.