Volume 2 Chapter 43: The Misfortunate One

“Let’s set some rules!”

In the mansion’s lounge, Kreis-san stood up dramatically, spreading his arms wide, before gracefully lowering himself back into his seat. For someone so elegant, he sure was loud.

Apparently, we were going to establish some kind of rules. Though, honestly, I had no idea what he was talking about.

After safely returning from the Crystal Labyrinth to the Capital City of Elist‘s party house, we had parted ways with Gulf Cordius-san. Now, we were gathered in the lounge, seated around a table.

At the head of the table sat Elle, while Fiona took the seat beside me. Across from us were Mina and Kreis-san, and standing near Elle as if to assist her was Sophie.

“Before we get into that, let me thank you again, Noil. We’re all here because of you. Truly, you’re incredible.”

Elle didn’t even bother hiding her affection anymore, her face melting into a sweet smile as she spoke.

She was probably thanking me for the forced march to the Crystal Labyrinth. It was true that the Magis Gear Carriage had been crucial in rescuing Gulf Cordius-san quickly. On the way back, at least, we took proper breaks during our journey.

But still, that was only possible because Elle provided the mana bottles. Without them, there’s no way we could’ve pulled off such a long trip.

“Uh, yeah… I’m just glad I could help.”

“Ah! That Magis Gear Carriage! It was absolutely splendid!”

Even Kreis-san seemed to have enjoyed the carriage, despite the fact that all he did was stand on it the whole time.

“Well… I guess it wasn’t terrible.”

Even Mina turned away, muttering a vague compliment. Strange. Hearing the carriage get this much praise was… complicated. I was always thinking about how I wanted to rebuild it, after all.

“Hmph.”

Fiona, for some reason, looked rather proud of herself. But wait—weren’t you the one who flew into a rage when you found out I built it for the Manager? I could’ve sworn you didn’t even like the carriage. Am I remembering wrong?

“I’ll overlook the fact that it was originally built for Milis Albama—for now. I’m not such a small-minded woman.”

Oh, so Elle knew about that too. But if you’re really “overlooking” it, was there any need to bring it up? Are you sure you’re okay with this? Or is it just me reading between the lines?

“And now, about these rules.”

Elle crossed her long legs, resting her arms on the sofa’s armrest, clasping her hands together, and propping her chin on them. Then, with a serious gaze, she addressed the group.

“How about Noil and I share a room?”

“Excuse me?”

“Or perhaps, Noil and I could share instead.”

“Excuse me again?”

Why were Elle and Fiona acting as though it was a given that I’d be sharing a room with someone? Is this what they meant by “rules”? If that’s the case, let me propose my own: I’ll live happily ever after with Mar-chan.

“No, I’d really prefer to have a room to myself…”

The moment I said that, both Elle and Fiona slammed their hands on the table and stood up simultaneously. The sudden noise made me flinch.

“Noil, that’s unacceptable. I don’t trust Fiona not to try something.”

“Senpai, you can’t do that. This woman will definitely attack you in your sleep!”

Elle crossed her arms, speaking with authority, while Fiona pointed at her furiously, practically begging me to listen.

Both of them were spouting nonsense. Wouldn’t all of this be resolved if you two just behaved? Take a moment to reflect, maybe? Put a hand on your chest, revisit your actions and words, and let’s all try to value the concept of privacy, shall we?

“Aha! I’ve got it! How about my place?”

Kreis-san stood up, striking a dramatic pose with his pearly white teeth glinting as he made his proposal. Honestly, it wasn’t a bad idea. If we stayed at his place, there probably wouldn’t be any major issues. Plus, being away from the mansion might increase my chances of escaping.

And most importantly, staying with another guy was, by far, the safest and most wholesome option.

“Kreis, you’re someone who doesn’t discriminate by gender, right? What about you, Noil?”

“Mm! I could go for it!”

“Yeah, that’s a definite no.”

It wasn’t wholesome at all. In fact, Kreis-san was the most dangerous one here. With a thumbs-up and a dazzling smile directed at me, he sent shivers down my spine. As I shrank back, hugging myself protectively, Fiona swiftly pulled me into a protective embrace, glaring at Kreis-san with an intensity that could burn. Meanwhile, Elle’s brow twitched in irritation.

“…Then, how about Sophie? She should be a safe option.”

“That won’t work either. Sophie wouldn’t stop you, would she?”

“…If that is what Master desires, I see no reason to intervene,” Sophie replied matter-of-factly, causing Elle to grit her teeth audibly. She closed her eyes for a moment, exhaled softly, and tried to regain her composure.

“…So what’s the plan, then? And while we’re at it, could you stop clinging to my fiancé?”

When did that happen?

For the record, Mar-chan is my one and only partner. She’s probably waiting in my room right now. I’ve promised her I wouldn’t cheat.

“Fiancé? What are you talking about—”

“In the Forestfolk tribe, a kiss signifies an engagement. Therefore, Noil is already my husband.”

Please tell me that’s a joke. No one told me this.

Fiona, who had been sneering at Elle, froze at her declaration. Being in her embrace, I couldn’t stop the cold sweat dripping down my back.

“A… kiss…?”

“Yes, it’s long since done. It was a moment of pure bliss… I know no greater joy,” Elle said dreamily, tracing her lips with a finger as though reminiscing.

Fiona began trembling, and just when I thought she might explode—

“Enough already!!”

Mina slammed her hands on the table and stood up with a shout, cutting through the tension like a knife. The entire room fell silent, all eyes turning to her. Even Elle and Fiona looked genuinely startled.

“…What is it, little she-cat—”

“Don’t call me a she-cat!!”

Mina’s furious yell cut off Fiona’s suspiciously narrowed gaze.

“Mina, what’s gotten into you—”

“What’s gotten into me? Everything, that’s what!!”

Ignoring Elle’s unusually flustered tone, Mina continued banging on the table. The vibrations caused a cup to tip over, spilling tea everywhere, but she didn’t care. With one final, resounding bang, she silenced the room again.

Sophie began silently cleaning up the mess, Kreis-san making exaggerated movements to assist her. Meanwhile, Mina glared at Elle and Fiona, breathing heavily.

“I’ve had enough! If I let you two keep doing whatever you want, I don’t even want to imagine what might happen next! Do you even understand how much I’ve suffered because of you?!”

Her anger was entirely justified.

Without a doubt, Mina was the biggest victim in all of this. Truly, an unfortunate soul.

“I-I’m sorry, Mina… I didn’t mean to…”

“Whether you meant it or not doesn’t matter!”

“But haven’t you benefitted a lot—”

“Shut up!!”

Elle, who had tried to defend herself, slumped her shoulders in defeat. Fiona scowled but stayed silent. Mina was furious—beyond furious. Her bloodshot eyes locked onto me.

“And you! Have you ever stopped to think about how he feels?! Stop just forcing your feelings onto him! Have you even considered how much he’s been dragged around?! It’s pitiful!”

“Y-yeah, what she said!”

“And you, Noil! If you’re a man, stop letting them walk all over you! I get that it’s hard to say something, but you have to!”

“Y-yes, ma’am.”

Attempting to channel my own “dark energy,” I agreed with her. Only to be scolded for it. I meekly shrank back into my seat. I’m sorry, but this is just the kind of person I am.

“Hah… hah…”

After yelling her heart out, Mina took a moment to catch her breath. Elle, looking a bit subdued, spoke gently to her.

“I’m really sorry, Mina… You’re right to be upset. I’ll reflect on my behavior.”

“As long as you understand…”

Fiona, on the other hand, crossed her arms, her haughty posture unwavering. Somehow, she didn’t seem to have learned her lesson.

“So, what’s the plan now? This all started because you dragged Senpai into this mess.”

“…We’ll establish proper rules. Actual rules,” Mina declared firmly, pointing at me with conviction.

“He—Noil—will… stay in my room.”

“Eh?”

“What?”

“Huh?”

The three of us—me, Fiona, and Elle—each let out our own exclamation of confusion.

“She-cat…! I knew you were after Senpai!”

“Mina, that’s not appropriate. I can’t agree to this,” Elle said, her smile no longer reaching her eyes.

Fiona looked ready to pounce on Mina, while Elle directed an unsettlingly calm yet piercing gaze at her. However, Mina stood firm, unshaken by their combined pressure.

“I don’t want this either, but if I leave him alone, who knows what you two might do? Sophie can’t monitor you properly, and Kreis is…”

“Totally into it!” Kreis-san chimed in, giving a thumbs-up. My spine froze again. He was truly the scariest person here.

“…So, by process of elimination, I’m the only one who can keep things in check. I don’t want any more trouble, and if this is what it takes… I’ll endure.”

Watching Mina tremble with frustration, guilt welled up inside me. I wanted to help her, but I couldn’t see a way out. She was just too unfortunate.

Maybe I should disappear from this world entirely. It might make things a little easier for her. If it meant sparing her from this madness, I’d gladly take Mar-chan and escape to another dimension. Not that I’d ever be allowed to leave in peace.

“Elle, no using your spirits to spy on my room.”

“…Mina, that’s too much.”

“No, that’s basic decency.”

Right. Elle could monitor me with her spirits. Escape felt even more impossible now.

“It’s fine. I’m not interested in Noil, and I won’t do anything. I promise. You can monitor the hallway if you’re worried.”

“…Really? In that case… Mina is trustworthy.”

Please don’t allow that. I’d never even make it out of the hallway. Escape was utterly hopeless in this cursed mansion.

Elle seemed to concede, thanks to Mina. The problem now was Fiona, who remained silent but visibly dissatisfied.

“Wait a moment. I don’t trust her,” Fiona declared.

Knew it.

“I can’t allow Senpai to share a room with this she-cat. Who knows when she’ll go into heat next—”

“S-Sophie, don’t—!!”

Mina’s panicked shriek interrupted Sophie, who tilted her head in confusion.

“Have you… not entered heat recently?”

“STOP TALKING!!”

Mina, red-faced and teary-eyed, glared at Sophie, who seemed genuinely perplexed. Someone else explain it to her next time. Not me.

“I’m assuming you didn’t hear anything!”

“Y-yes.”

“Of course not!”

“Shall I clarify—”

“NO, YOU WILL NOT!”

Desperately silencing Sophie again, Mina looked about ready to collapse.

“Then, just a little further into the cycle—”

“AAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!”

Mina screamed in despair, clutching her head. Sorry, but I already heard it once before. My bad. I’ll pretend I didn’t, though. Totally forgotten. Yep, gone from my memory.

“Ugh… ugh…”

Mina crouched down, hugging her knees as tears spilled. I had no idea how to comfort her. She was truly unfortunate. Perhaps she was born under some unlucky star.

Elle gently rubbed her back in an attempt to console her. Sophie tilted her head, still confused, while Kreis-san inexplicably nodded solemnly with his eyes closed.

Even Fiona, witnessing the scene, seemed to reconsider her stance, awkwardly averting her gaze.

“W-well… fine. I suppose that’s acceptable. There’s no way Senpai would be interested in that pitiful body, after all.”

And there it was—the unnecessary remark.

Mina shot up, her tear-streaked face twisted in rage as she glared at Fiona.

In the next moment, before Elle or I could react, Mina leapt at Fiona, grabbing her chest with both hands.

“W-what are you doing—?!”

“I’LL RIP THIS USELESS FAT OFF YOUR CHEST!”

“Mina, calm down!”

“I’m so sorry!”

As Mina growled furiously, Elle and I rushed to pull her off.

“I’LL TEAR THEM OFF!!!”

Thrashing wildly, Mina screamed as we restrained her. Truly, this mansion was chaos incarnate.