That 64: The Evil Slave Master

"First things first, allow me to introduce myself."

After declining, the young man continued,

"‘The Evil Slave Master,’ Amamiya at your service. Call me Amachan if we become friends, otherwise just Amamiya will do. I’m eighteen."

Eighteen… So we’re around the same age.

I’m still only seventeen, though—I was born a bit earlier.

"I’ve prepared a meeting room for us. Please, go ahead."

I take a seat at an impressively crafted wooden table, too fine to be placed outdoors.

On this side are me and Ayano-chan.

On the other side are Amamiya-kun and the maid with a composed expression.

"Well... where should I start? If time's short, I'll just get to the point."

"We're not in a rush. Please, go from the beginning in order."

"Yes... "

Amamiya-kun, his face already pale like dust, grew even paler as he began speaking.

His "story."

"It wasn't long after zombies appeared—about a week later—that I first became aware of my powers.

At first, I thought I'd completely lost my mind.

But it wasn't like that at all."

I'm sure you two felt something similar—realizing just how powerful my abilities were when we started fighting zombies...

Honestly, I was completely swept up in it.

I thought I was the one who'd save the world, just like a hero in a shonen manga.

But it didn't work out. It just didn't go as planned."

He crosses his arms and speaks through clenched lips.

"Didn't work out... what do you mean?"

"I'm really terrible at fighting. I just don't have any talent for it. Whenever I see a monster, I just freeze up... I haven't even managed to kill a single zombie with my own hands yet."

"Whaaaaat?"

Saya gasps in surprise.

"Seriously, how have you even survived this long?"

"Thanks to my comrades. I've only taken support-type skills, trying to help everyone else... I've left all the fighting to them..."

"One question, okay?"

"Go ahead."

"Why is everyone here a woman?"

Then, "Eh?" Ayaka gasped, her eyes widening.

She glanced around.

"Wow, you're right."

She visibly recoiled in disgust.

"Hey, sis. I really think we should just kill this one."

"W-wait, wait, just a second! I didn't really... you know, go after everyone. Ah, no, I promised not to lie or hide the truth, right? To be honest, at first, that was exactly my plan. I wanted to create a harem. I thought it was the best idea. After all, I have these strange powers, and I figured the more of this kind of gene that survives, the better it is for humanity, right?"

"That kind of thinking probably isn't wise to share in public. It makes me nauseous."

"I agree with that now. I'm truly regretting it. Didn't I say so? I was getting carried away back then... And uh, ever since I was attacked by those zombies, my, uh, manhood just won't respond anymore. It's not working at all. Seriously."

As Amamiya-kun continued speaking, he frankly discussed his intimate struggles.

"Besides, trying to force someone who isn't interested using your position? That’s way too hard for a virgin. Isn’t sex supposed to be about something deeper than that? It’s supposed to be with someone you truly connect with, right? Right?"

Yeah, but what am I supposed to say to "right?"

I don’t know, okay?

"That’s why I haven’t touched a single person here. But somehow, I keep hearing rumors that I’m good at sex or whatever—completely made up, honestly."

"I understand. That's enough....Anyway, what about the others who aren't women? You're not seriously abandoning them or something like that...?"

"I didn't! I just have them staying a little further away. It's just as safe here."

Hmm.

Honestly, you're a completely different kind of bastard than I imagined.

If it were someone like you, I might as well have just gone ahead and started killing each other... or something.

No, no, that's not right.

My heart's starting to lean more toward the barbarian side.

"Anyway... getting back to the point. I said I've only taken support-type skills, right? So, honestly, I can't fight much at all."

At that, Amamiya-kun gave a subtle nod toward the maid-girl standing beside him.

The two of them seemed to understand each other perfectly, both nodding in unison.

"Anyway, I think the quickest way to convince you to believe what comes next is... this."

―It seems the "evil slave master" wants to become your ally.

―Will you accept his submission?

"Hmm?"

I tilted my head at the unfamiliar proposal from the voice in my head.

"I've already applied for submission. If you grant this, I won't be able to attack the 'Wandering Warrior' at all from now on."

"...Are you sure?"

"Of course. What's the point of fighting when I can't win anyway?"

"There should have been an option to flee, even if not for other reasons."

"That's right. My 'quest' was either to kill or subjugate the 'Wandering Warrior.' If there was a way to survive without losing my skills, that was it."

I see.

Our 'quests' were perfectly aligned with each other.

"So, Tsururi... she's the one with the purple hair, the maid standing in the background. I had her keep an eye on the two of them the whole time."

"I heard it directly from her."

"Oh, really?"

At that moment, Amamiya stood up and bowed deeply to Saya-chan.

I truly apologize for that. I was negligent as a supervisor. Shizuri probably just did what she thought was best.

Mmm...

Ayane pouting with a grumpy face.

"But even if you don't fully understand the situation, I'd be grateful if you could at least acknowledge my concern about Shizuri. If something were to happen to me, it wouldn't just be me who'd suffer—everyone in this community would be affected. Many of them rely on my 'Healing Magic'."

"That's fine. Please continue with your story."

Amamiya-kun continued speaking, still bowing slightly with each word as if deeply apologetic.

"Slavers have a skill that lets them form a 'special relationship' with humans other than players. With that ability, they can communicate telepathically at any time. I've been watching both of you closely for a while now."

"Hmm."

"That's why I realized you two aren't the kind to abandon the weak. You're good people. That's why I wanted to place my bet on you."

"…uh huh"

Then, the young man took a deep breath and made a serious face.

As if to say, "Now comes the real point."

Do you know there's a university northeast of here?

Is that so?

"There is. Right there, real dangerous guys are stationed."

"What does 'yabai' mean?"

A real villain, that's what he is.

Amamiya leaned forward.

They actually do stuff like kidnapping women and treating them like toys—just like in those sadistic ero manga. You know the villains from *Fist of the North Star*? That's exactly what they're like. Armed with guns they stole from Self-Defense Force or similar military transport vehicles. In this country, it sounds like a far-fetched story, but apparently they even have rocket launchers.

Is it a location shoot?

...uh-huh.

They'd probably die instantly if they got hit.

"We here nearby are absolutely terrified. Last night, someone saw a woman being taken away with a few others....I think you get the point by now."

I let out a small sigh.

"You want me to serve you in exchange for your help—am I right?"

"Uh-huh."

The "evil slave master" finished speaking and nodded slightly, as if satisfied.