I Reincarnated as a Mob in a Depressing Erotic Video Game World. When I Saved the Main Heroine That Fallen Into Despair, Her Overwhelming Obsessive Love for Me Wouldn’t Stop. - Chapter 37

“…What are you planning, Ralthea-sama?”

Behind Irwin, Ralthea looked at me with those mysterious eyes, her proud attitude completely unchanged.

“There’s nothing to plan. Irwin Selbus… I thought it’d be a waste to hand him over to the Empire as he is. So, I decided to keep him as my slave.”

“A slave…?”

Irwin was wearing his uniform, but restraints were attached to his neck and hands. Long chains hung from them, and they were clinking as he moved.

Even his usually handsome face was marked with a large scar, and his eyes had turned a blood-red color. They used to be a beautiful blue.

“Yeah, a slave. Right, Irwin-kun?”

Ralthea prompted him, and he clicked his tongue.

“…Until today. Once I finish these tests, you’ll take off this collar, right?”

“Of course. That’s what the contract says.”

A contract, so she used a binding magic. Magic that forces both sides to keep a promise. It’s not only for duels.

So, Ralthea made a contract to enslave Irwin as punishment for his crimes. If he didn’t obey, the Empire’s law would punish him. He probably had no choice but to accept.

“…So all that talk about him being locked up for twenty, thirty years was a lie.”

“Hmm? Ah… haha. Well, you could say that.”

“But, why? Why make Irwin take part in our tests…”

Ralthea’s gaze moved slightly.

In front of her, Ena was trembling while clutching my sleeve tightly.

“Irwin was perfect for the role. He’ll play it perfectly, I’m sure.”

“That’s right, mob-kun. And hey, Ena?”

“Eek…”

To Ena, Irwin was the cause of all the terror in her life.

Of course, she was scared to see him again.

Watching Ralthea and the others act like this, I.

“L-Ralthea-sama. You’re not… going to show this test…”

“Yeah. As usual, the Empire will watch this final test. And you’re not an exception.”

I knew it.

So that’s how it was.

Are they really planning to execute Ena right here?

“…Hehe. Looks like you finally noticed, mob-kun.”

Irwin licked his lips, like a snake staring at its prey.

“Come on, let’s fight already. I won’t let you keep winning. I’ll make you pay back what you did to me hundreds of times over. And after that… Ena. Your turn.”

“Ah…”

Ena’s grip on my sleeve tightened.

I moved to stand in front of her and protect her.

(…Ralthea is planning to act as both judge and executioner at the same time.)

This means the test is Ena’s first and last chance.

If she can activate the magic hidden in the “Witch’s Seed” without losing control and prove she can fully manage it… Then the execution can be delayed.

But if she fails.

Then Irwin Selbus, the executioner, will probably.

Ena’s head will fall while the whole Empire watches.

“…Damn it. Why does this world have to be like this…”

I clenched my fists tightly and let my frustration take over.

My nails dug into my palms, but I didn’t care.

I was full of anger.

“Shiruto-kun… are you… okay…?”

Ena’s voice was soft and gentle and full of concern for me.

Even now, Ena was thinking about me.

(―Right. For Ena’s sake, I have to do my part.)

Having Irwin as an opponent was a complete surprise, but thinking calmly, it might actually be to my advantage.

“…Yeah. I’m fine, Ena. Thank you for worrying about me.”

One step.

I moved forward and am ready to challenge Irwin.

“Irwin. Then let’s start the test.”

One more step forward.

Irwin faced me, no longer hiding his cruel smile.

“Hehe. Yeah, that’s right. Too bad for you, I won’t go easy.”

“Just what I want, Ralthea-sama, give the signal and deploy the barrier.”

During the combat test, a defensive barrier is set up just like in the arena.

It blocks anything from the outside and keeps the magic inside from leaking.

And, just before that,

“―Shiruto-kun… do your best…!”

Ena shouted.

She wasn’t used to raising her voice. It came out a little hoarse.

But still, her cheer reached my chest and straight to my heart.

“Yeah. Leave it to me, Ena.”

―I’m sorry, Ena.

I had to lie to you.

But… I promise this will be the last time.