HP9999999999 - Chapter 9
Kyaaa!
Whoa there, that was close
My right hand manages to prop Rina up, right as the tremors of the earthquake gets close to knocking her off her feet.
Really now, that village must be fresh out of luck. Being attacked by bandits is one thing, but being victimised by some freak earthquake right after is another kettle of fish.
I, of course, make sure to word it that way on purpose. If I had wanted to send out an even bigger earthquake I could have just as well done so, but I have a good feeling that overdoing it might just have a negative impact on the whole spreading word of my good deeds bit. The only thing I have to worry about is having them catch on to the fact that this earthquake is, in fact, my doing, but I dont think anyones going to do that anytime soon. Well, I hope so
Ah! I-I Im awfully sorry! Ive touched you without permission, Master!
Almost in sync with the settling tremors, Rina falls to the floor and prostrates herself before me at the speed of light. Im, quite understandably, taken aback by her actions.
You may beat me as you see fit, I do not mind. Just use me to quell your anger!
No need for that. Im the one who touched you first after all. I dont have an issue with being touched either. So please, there really is no need to kowtow.
So whatever household she used to be part of hadnt taken too kindly to being touched out of line, had it? All of that aside, its becoming increasingly clear that this sort of subservient behaviors become more instinct than habit.
I squat down in front of her, bringing my line of sight closer to her own.
Im not like your previous masters. Rest assured; I truly believe that I should prioritize your own wishes over mine.
My wishes?
Indeed. What do you want to do from here on out? If you were to wish for freedom, then I would be more than happy to set you free.
I Telling me something like that is one thing, but
Rinas face is twitching in confusion. I have a good feeling that she, having been deprived of her freedom for as long as she had, had never even given thought to what she would do with herself should that day come around.
I give myself some time to think, then rise to my full height once more.
Very well, Ill leave you in my custody. Until youre certain what you want to do with your life, Ill be sure to take care of you.
Thank Thank you So much
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The girl responds with her unchanging, almost mechanical tone. Not that I can blame her this time; theres not much good you can expect when the High King walks up to you, a regular human, and takes you along to his abode. I may just have to take some pre-emptive measures here
But before we can start with that
I raise my right hand and hold it above Rinas head. Her shoulders shudder slightly as she flinches.
Incantation: Almighty Healing!
Practically the same moment I cast the spell, her scars littering her entire body begin to recede, healing before her very eyes.
What?
Her eyes round and wide open, Rina moves to expose that portion of her shoulder again. Needless to say, her scars disappear completely, not leaving the faintest trace behind.
I-It never mattered how often Id try to treat these scars, they never faded But now In just a single moment
This is a trifle for someone such as I. Youre a young girl, arent you? You should treasure your own body.
No sooner do I finish my speech than she begins bawling her eyes out, her tears dribbling down in large globules.
Thank you so much This makes me so happy. Thank you so much!
Her voice, in strong contrast to the emotionless robotic tone she had used just moments earlier, now carries a new air that affirms that shes happy, happy with all her heart.
J-Just how could I ever manage to repay this kind of debt?!
No need for that. Your happiness is all I could ask for.
Alright then, what now? I suppose the best course of action would be to use Teleportation to transport the both of us to my sleeping chambers. There, she may just have a good chance of not being found out by any demons.
Rina, listen. I cant say I care where you do it, but you must touch my body.
The Teleportation spells effect does, after all, only extend to me and whatever I happen to be in contact with.
T-That just wouldnt do! Im in far too much awe to even consider touching you, Sire!
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Alright, that does it. No helping it. I slap my hand on Rinas shoulder.
Incantation: Teleportation!
Upon casting the spell, the two of us find ourselves in the High Kings again, me castle, smack-dab in the middle of my sleeping chambers. Completely and utterly perplexed, Rina restlessly looks around the room, her eyes darting through every nook and cranny.
Where is this?
My bedchambers. My spell allowed us to travel to my room in the blink of an eye. I apologize if I startled you.
Y-You certainly have a lot of spells on hand
I suppose I do, yes
That reminds me, just what had gone on in the great hall while I was away? Colour me interested. I had, after all, left nothing but a replacement dummy in my place and gone off on my own. I can only hope that Anri hasnt picked up on that just yet
Well, in any case, I cast Clairvoyance take a peek into the affairs of the great hall.
What the?!
The spectacle playing out in front of my eyes manages to squeeze a surprised yell out of my lungs. Demons from all corners of the castle had gathered in the hall, and in the middle of them stands Anri, just about ready to stuff her head through the loop of a long rope that connected to the ceiling.
What the Hell is this?! Some kind of suicide show?! Howd this even happen?! For crying out loud, I have to hurry up and stop her before!
Rina, Ill be taking my leave momentarily! Dont take a single step out of this room until Im back! I mean it! This isnt some sort of Dachou Club* comedy bit, okay?!1
Whats a Dachou Club?
Sorry, just forget I said that. Just dont leave this room, alright?!
I understand. If my Master commands it, then I will obey.
Seriously, Id really like it if she just stops calling me that. But I dont have time to worry about that now! I cast Teleportation and leave my bedchambers.
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Yuuto-sama I humbly apologize for the incompetence of your followers. I love you
Anri lets a single tear fall down her cheek. Then, just as shes about to put her head through the loop
Comin through!
My Teleportation spell materializes me in the middle of the great hall. I chop through the rope with my bare hand, shredding it to pieces, then catch Anris body as she falls to the ground before landing there myself.
I-I made it In the nick of time, too!
Its Yuuto-sama!
Yuuto-samas come back home!
At the same time, the masses of demons gathered in the great hall break out into cheers of pure joy.
Yuuto-sama You really have come back to us, havent you?!
Anris cheeks go beet-red as she asks me her question. Well, it looks like they actually did catch on to me leaving the castle. I shouldve known that a plan that childish wouldnt hold out in high water
Never mind that, Anri. Why are you acting like this? And why are the others just standing there and watching you? They didnt even lift a finger.
Were ever so sorry! Weve tried time and time again to stop her, but it didnt matter how many times we attempted to talk her out of it; she just wouldnt listen!
One of the demons is kind enough to respond. Well, Anris second only to me in command. I suppose its not easy to persuade someone who outranks you to do anything
Anri, explain yourself.
R-Right away. When I noticed that you had disappeared, Yuuto-sama, I called on the entire forces of your armies, riled them up a bit, and had them search for you.
Seriously, you went that far?!
But no matter how much we searched, we couldnt find you That was when I realized the truth. I realized that youd grown impatient with me and left the castle.
Thats the first thing you thought of?! Even the worst kind of persecution complex isnt half as bad!
With you gone from my life, there was no reason to go on living. That was when I became utterly resolute to end my own life here and there.
Her somewhat dubious motives aside It really is my fault that shed gone that fair, isnt it?
When did you notice that Id left the hall?
I noticed the minute you used that doll as your replacement, Yuuto-sama. That doll doesnt smell like you do.
Seriously, the smell tipped you off?! Looks like I really, really dont give Anri enough credit
Dachou Club: A rather well-known trio of comedians in Japan.