Chapter 68: Slave and His Master

After that, the conversation progressed smoothly.

Having obtained the skills "Subjugation" and "Slave Management," the "Wandering Warrior" had made an early-morning woman named Hayato, who served as the community's gatekeeper, into his "slave" for emergency telepathic communication, and then headed toward the hideout of the notorious kidnapper group.

As a precaution, he had also been told to take the "Healing Magic" skill.

"Isn't that magic something everyone depends on?"

Despite that, the warrior chose not to accept the spell.

(Gosh, in a world like this, she's incredibly kind-hearted.)

He shook his head in disbelief, yet still found himself growing fond of her.

At the same time, though, he couldn't help but worry.

The rules of the world were about to change.

Holding onto the old world's ethics would inevitably lead to stumbling somewhere down the line.

The young man let out a sigh.

"……Well, that was a close one."

Behind him, Shizuri nodded deeply in agreement.

"Yes. It was a narrow escape."

"At least we managed to keep that incident under wraps."

"Well, it was a favorable gamble. Even if it had been exposed, it wouldn't have harmed us."

Indeed.

The young man smirked.

"If things keep going like this, there shouldn't be any problems unless something truly drastic happens. …Let's stick with this strategy from now on."

"I feel like this is only a temporary fix."

"If that's the case, then it's simple—just apologize honestly. After all, we've given them the 'Subordination' card. They shouldn't easily lose trust, not under normal circumstances."

"Can we really trust the 'Wandering Warrior'?"

"I believe we can. …It seems she's someone quite kind-hearted."

"Hmm..."

For now, one could say things have progressed smoothly up to this point.

Just as predicted by that strange girl who claims to be a "Reincarnated One."

Too eerily accurate.

"However... was this truly the right course, my master?"

"...Hm?"

"I must say, my master, you've described 'them' rather leniently."

The young man grimaced.

"What else could I possibly say about them?"

"I should have spoken more clearly. 'They're scum. Kill every last one of them...' "

They were wary of us. I didn't really want to use words that sounded one-sided like that.

Even so, wouldn't it have been better to talk to Yuki-chan about it?

Then the young man suddenly slammed his forehead onto the table.

――Yuki Kamine.

Even once, the two childhood friends became girls who could no longer understand the world.

And there, at the entrance of the gang's hideout, a girl still "displayed" as if on display.

"Master?"

"…No need to appeal to sentiment. Leave the rest to them."

"What judgment do you think they'll make against 'them'?"

"If they still possess human hearts, the conclusion is already clear."

"Indeed."

Then, Sozuri crossed her arms, deep in thought.

"...What is it?"

"The issue is whether they still have human hearts or not."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Up until now, we've eliminated many 'zombies' at your command....Sometimes, I myself can't tell anymore. What's right, and what's wrong."

"That's beyond my understanding."

"Master, that's perfectly fine with you."

Then Sozuri unexpectedly smiled.

The youth thought inwardly, 'You should really show this expression to people more often.'

"Anyway... I've been wanting to ask you something for a while."

"What is it?"

"Why did you start calling me 'Master' all of a sudden?"

"Are you asking me that now?"

"Yeah. With everything that's happened over the past month, I've kept putting it off."

"Because you saved my life."

……That's the opposite of how you'd normally think about it.

Now that Yuki-chan is gone, you are the only reason I have to keep living in this world.

I feel a bit embarrassed, you know.

The youth scratches the tip of his nose.

How about spending the night together sometime soon?

Then Satori did not so much as twitch her expression.

"Please, don't be silly."

and replied.

I know. This exchange has been going on between the two of them since they were middle schoolers—half in jest.

"Seriously. Thanks to your ridiculous rumors, my plans are ruined....Who even cares about being good in bed?"

"I have the skills, so I suppose I'm decent at it. Though I've never actually tried it."

"Because you say things like that, everyone's been avoiding me. Damn it, this isn't a joke. There should be a lovely girl sitting by my side, if anything."

"Deservedly so, my lord."

"Cheh."

The two chatting and laughing.

Their appearance was clearly that of a harmonious couple, even to an outsider's eye.