Ch.125Karma-Struck NPC. (4)

The world is interfering with my sleep. This is seriously not okay.

With an already poor mental state, and a head that’s even less functional due to drowsiness, I squeeze out a story for Eight.

As is typical with games, when a new story comes out, there’s a name for the main stage and something like a subtitle for the story.

I’m not sure if I’ve mentioned this before, but the land we lived in, Ponia, had the subtitle [Land Where Despair Began].

And Aigram was [Where the Dream of the Continent Begins]. Well, that’s probably right. Honestly, my memory of story details isn’t very clear. Plus, I’m extremely sleepy right now.

Anyway, the subtitle for Episode 2 that my drowsy and stupid memory recalls is…

‘[Land of the Closed Spirits]? Was that it?’

…Not living up to its title.

Strictly speaking, this is Episode 1 [Aigram], and Episode 2’s story should take place in [Siltra].

Even if the Demon of Wrath died here first, the central conflict was still about the tensions between elves, beast-folk, and demon-folk.

So I can’t accept the fact that the story of the isolationist Siltra is spilling over to the outside world.

However, whether I accept it or not, the world’s unfairness has started messing with me again. As I began to feel seriously drowsy and rather than strain my poor brain further, I took the paper the mayor handed me, flung open the office window, and stepped onto the windowsill.

“Ah?!! W-what are you doing!! That windowsill is expensive wood…!!!”

“Hey. I don’t know exactly what’s going to happen, but let me tell you this. If something unmanageable breaks out with ‘people’ outside, don’t just lounge around here—come out and help clean up. Got it?”

“What? What’s going on? Did you figure something out? If so, you should explain it to me…!!”

“Shut up. I don’t fully understand it either, so I’m just taking action.”

-CRACK!!

After spitting those words at Avalitia without looking back, I put strength into my legs. The windowsill gives way, and my body shoots forward.

At that moment, I heard Avalitia’s voice behind me, almost a scream, but what’s important now isn’t the price of the windowsill.

‘…I’d like to think it’s not the case, but.’

Without my knowledge, Episode 2 has started in Aigram. If the adventurers and guards who picked fights weren’t after my money or hunting Miho for her beauty, but were literally targeting ‘beast-folk’…

‘That can’t be right? Surely not. You’re a player, aren’t you?’

The player, who’s practically the protagonist, becoming Princess Peach? It’s unbelievable and shouldn’t happen.

‘At best, you should be the plumber type. So please!!’

Moving quickly across rooftops, I immediately spot an exceptionally large building in the center of the city.

The casino—the building that allowed me to handle money I’d never touched before in my life, and the first place I visited in this world. I headed straight for it. And then…

“Huh? Oh! Jack!! You came quickly?! And you came at a good time! I won a lot today…!”

“You gambling-addicted old man!! That’s not what’s important!! Miho!! Hasn’t Miho come?!!”

“Huh? What are you talking about? Weren’t you supposed to bring her along?”

…No way, it can’t be. Maybe she got lost, or she’s getting something to eat before coming.

Thinking as positively as possible, I sat down next to Green Stone and told him that Miho had fully recovered and that Ira had enrolled in school.

“Hmm. She made a big decision. I thought you’d bring at least one woman with you.”

“…Actually, I’m kind of regretting it now.”

Should I have brought Ragni, or maybe Gore? I can’t help thinking that.

Right now I’m deadly tired, and situations are erupting on their own. My brain can’t even fully comprehend what’s happening.

…I’m truly feeling, deep in my bones, how much help I’ve been receiving from them.

Being loved and helped by such exceptional people. I regret how I used to complain about it being annoying and difficult to handle.

And…

‘That’s precisely why I was able to leave Ira behind.’

Now that I’m briefly on my own and getting caught up in another incident, I understand.

People with no lack of strength or intelligence have gathered around Ira. They’ve stayed with her, so I…

‘I’ll do everything I can, compensating for my inadequate brain with my body.’

After finishing telling Green Stone about my experiences with my companions, I check the time… it’s time to face the truth.

She’s in trouble. She really must have been kidnapped. I feel like I’m about to cry.

“Green Stone.”

“Yes?”

“Do you know?”

“Know what?”

“Right now, in this city… beast-folk are being kidnapped.”

“…Hmm, I see. I noticed you kept checking the time during our conversation, and I thought it was because Miho was late for your appointment, but that was the reason. However, according to what you said, hasn’t Miho become quite strong?”

“That’s true, but everyone I met on the way here was extremely powerful.”

In terms of specs, Miho is around the graduation level of Episode 1.

But if Episode 2 has erupted in Aigram, and if she got caught up in the center of the incident without leveling up first…

‘…With her level, it wouldn’t be strange if she got kidnapped.’

With that thought, I explained the current situation to Green Stone, and his reaction was surprisingly indifferent.

Huh? Why is he so calm about this?

“Well, I’m not pleased about beast-folk being kidnapped, but this is an issue between humans and beast-folk. Of course, as someone from the same country, there’s justification in wanting to help them, but if I were to draw my sword and start cutting down humans, the consequences would be…”

Green Stone’s explanation was simple.

He’s hiding among humans, concealing the fact that he’s an elf. Some beast-folk have noticed he’s an elf, but since they don’t pay excessive attention to each other, they only know that much.

And if he were to reveal himself as an elf here and start cutting people down for the cause…

“Since I don’t know how far Aigram is involved, I’d have to cut down everyone I see. You understand?”

An elder of a nation—moreover, a deus ex machina stepping in to solve everything with force. If that were to happen, it could trigger intervention at the national level, and depending on the perspective…

“An elf starting a war for the sake of beast-folk… it could flow into the scenario that the elders of [Siltra] are hoping for.”

“…So the elves really do want that?”

“Yes. I don’t know exactly how much you know, but if you understand that much, please understand why I can’t get involved. And despite this shameless situation, I have a favor to ask.”

After saying that, Green Stone roughly downed his drink as if slightly irritated, and then directed his serious black eyes at me.

“I’ve known Miho since she was a child. I don’t want anything worse to happen to her. Please.”

“……”

At this point, there’s no choice. I came here hoping for Green Stone’s help, but if he’s just now learning about the situation, it’s impossible to force him to come along.

‘…At least, I need evidence. At minimum, evidence that the current situation involves [Siltra] or [elves] like in the game, otherwise this person won’t move.’

In a situation identical to the game—no, perhaps even more twisted than the game—I gave up on trying to move Green Stone.

If Ragni were here, she might have easily persuaded him with words, but I don’t have that ability.

So, I handed him a list of kidnapped people and asked him to let me know if he sees any of them, and then—

-GRIP!!

Suddenly, Green Stone grabbed me.

“…Wait.”

“Huh? What is it?”

“This child listed at the end. Was she kidnapped too?”

“Huh? I suppose so. This information is fresh from the mayor.”

-GULP GULP GULP!!!

As soon as I finished speaking, Green Stone suddenly started chugging the alcohol in front of him.

Huh? What’s going on? Isn’t that the same alcohol that got me drunk before? Why is this old man suddenly…?

“Ugh…!! You.”

“Ah, yes?”

“Do you have a general idea of where to go, who’s involved?”

“Yeah. I’m not sure about the location, but I’ve already decided which guys to beat up for information.”

“Then, tell me too.”

“What?”

This is strange. Green Stone, who just refused to get involved because of concerns about war, is suddenly eager to move. He’s even strapping the sword sheath he had set aside to his waist, looking quite determined.

What’s going on? Why this sudden change?

“This child, Vanilla, isn’t she from the casino!! And she was supposed to play with me today…!!!”

Looking at the sketch, name, and kidnapping location of the 22-year-old rabbit beast-folk at the bottom of the paper, I turned my drowsy brain and responded with genuine feeling:

“…Hey. You crazy, senile, perverted old man. Is a bunny girl from the casino more important than someone you’ve known since childhood?!!”

And before I could finish speaking, I sincerely dropped my fist on Green Stone’s crown.

*

-Splash.

“…Ugh? Cold. My head hurts… Where am I…?”

Cold water droplets fall on her face as she opens her eyes. She had definitely been heading to the casino after hearing Jack’s story. And then…

“You’re awake.”

“…Huh?”

Yes, the wind had blown, and it carried a familiar scent. Definitely an elf elder, like Green Stone from Siltra.

“E-Elder Er Jim?”

-CLINK!

“Gah?!”

The moment she tried to move her body upon seeing the hooded figure before her, iron chains she hadn’t noticed tightened around her neck.

“W-what is… What is this?! Elder, what’s going on…!!”

“Miho. You’ve become truly remarkable. To think you could recognize me without even seeing my face, even though I masked my scent with elven medicine.”

As if he couldn’t hear her voice, he chuckled softly, then slowly approached her and lifted her chin.

“Indeed, a white tiger beast-folk. Just as expected of a child who was sent outside because even other beast-folk couldn’t handle her—you’ve grown up beautifully.”

“E-Elder. What on earth are you doing?! Let me go!!”

When she shook her head violently to throw off his hand, he seemed to enjoy even that reaction and let out another lewd laugh.

Is that really the Siltra elder I knew? That thought dominated her mind.

“Hehe. Miho. Before you speak, look around you. Do you think I’m in a position to release you just because you ask?”

“Huh…?”

Following his words, she looked around to see dozens of captured beast-folk. Yes, she wasn’t the only ‘captured female.’

And her startled mind and awakened body caught the scent, realizing the truth.

This smell.

“…W-why? Drugs? The same smell as those people… Why? Why does the Elder have the same drug smell as the human guards and adventurers?!!!”

“My, you can even detect that colorless, odorless scent? How frightening, white tiger beast-folk.”

“Elder!! What is going on?! Why are you doing this to beast-folk…!!!”

When she shouted, he laughed loudly as if amused. She couldn’t understand what was happening. Why was an elf from Siltra, who had never stepped outside, kidnapping beast-folk here?

As if reading her questions, Er Jim stopped laughing, removed his hood, and spoke.

“You beast-folk who have gone outside must become the kindling to reignite the anger towards humans that is fading in [Siltra].”

“…What did you say?”

“Don’t worry, I’m not saying we’ll kill you.”

After saying that, Er Jim curled his lips into a lewd smile and declared to her:

“We just want you to bear the children of many human males.”

Hearing words that would have been kinder if he had threatened to kill her, Miho’s mind froze in terror.