Volume 2 Chapter 45: Maidens

It has been a little over a month since I arrived at the party house of Spirit Wind. Letto-kun still hasn’t returned.

Well, if he went all the way to the sea, it’s no surprise. Who knows how many days he plans to stay there? At first, I wanted him to come back quickly, but recently, I’ve realized that life in this mansion isn’t so bad.

Here, I don’t have to do anything. Ever since the incident at the Crystal Labyrinth, I haven’t even stepped outside the mansion grounds.

Everything in my daily life is taken care of—by Elle, my girlfriend. I’m not entirely sure why I’m with Spirit Wind in the first place, but as long as she’s satisfied, I suppose it’s fine.

Elle is far too good for someone like me. She’s an A-rank miner, incredibly beautiful, kind-hearted, and skilled at everything from cooking to housework. Lately, she’s even started sewing clothes for our future children. The only issue, if I had to name one, is the room filled with dolls of me. Still, even there, the large closet is steadily filling up with baby clothes.

I’ve become entirely dependent on Elle. While I feel a bit guilty about it, the comfort is hard to resist. Besides, she seems happy.

I first met Elle when I had just entered the magic academy. Back then, I was full of myself, which led to me nearly getting into serious trouble with Mina.

It was entirely my own fault, but Elle was the one who saved me from that mess.

After that, we grew close and often spent time together at the academy. Once we graduated, we drifted apart. However, about a month ago, we reunited, and I joined her party as a temporary stand-in for Letto-kun during his absence.

That’s when Elle confessed her feelings to me, and we began dating.

I was utterly shocked when she admitted it was love at first sight, but at the same time, I was thrilled. Perhaps I had already felt something special for her since our academy days.

Elle, someone far beyond my reach, now leans against me with a blissful expression.

“Here, Noil. Say ahh.”

With an innocent smile, she offers me one of her handmade cookies. As I take a bite, she clings to my arm with a satisfied expression.

The girlish side of her, so different from her usual composed demeanor, is utterly adorable.

Right now, we’re enjoying fishing by a pond in the mansion’s garden, sitting on folding chairs.

This pond was created by Elle using the power of spirits, just for me.

She prepared everything, from the fishing gear to the setup itself.

Thanks to her, I can spend my days free from boredom.

Elle spares no effort for my sake. Truly, I am nothing but a kept man.

A lifestyle free from any inconvenience—one that anyone would envy.

And yet—

“What’s wrong? Was it not good…?”

“No, it’s not that.”

Lost in thought as I stared at the fishing line, I didn’t notice Elle looking up at me anxiously. Startled, I hurriedly patted her head to reassure her.

She quickly smiled and, like a cat seeking affection, rubbed her head against my hand.

I am happy. These moments are filled with happiness.

I’ve even been seriously considering leaving White Road to live my life with Elle.

But still—what is this faint sense of unease?

Whenever I look at the pond, I can’t shake the feeling.

It’s as if I’ve spent time like this before with someone else. Someone other than Elle. Yet, before entering the academy, I mostly spent my days with my younger sister. And during the academy years, I was often with Elle. After graduation, I joined White Road—wait, what even is White Road…?

“Noil.”

Hearing my name, I snapped back to reality. Elle, her cheeks slightly flushed, was holding my hand gently between hers.

“Um… would you come to my room tonight…?”

She spoke hesitantly, her voice soft as she looked up at me nervously. I knew exactly what she was implying. Her flushed cheeks and upturned gaze made her so charming I wanted to embrace her right then and there.

And when a woman goes so far to say this, there’s no reason to refuse. There shouldn’t be any reason to refuse, but—

“…I’m sorry, Elle.”

Before I realized it, those words had left my mouth. I didn’t know why. Even I didn’t understand. But just like with the earlier unease, something was bothering me. Something felt wrong. Something felt out of place, like a tiny knot I couldn’t untangle.

“I see… It’s fine. I’ll wait as long as it takes for you to feel ready.”

Elle smiled bravely, but it was clearly forced. The disappointment was written all over her face.

Seeing her expression made my chest tighten with guilt.

Yet, I couldn’t meet her expectations.

After turning her down once again, I looked up at the sky.

A beautiful blue sky. The weather was perfect.

And yet, why? Why does the sky feel so distant?

The sky being far away is only natural. That’s how it’s supposed to be—but… The pond and the sky—these two things feel like they were once much closer.

And so, I found myself pondering meaningless thoughts I couldn’t explain.

◇

“So, were you just flirting with Elle again today?”

“Uh… yeah, pretty much…”

Mina, fresh out of her daily training and bath, was drying her hair as she glared at me with disdain.

Sprawled out on the tatami mat, I offered her a nonchalant response.

We had a nightly arrangement to spend time in Mina’s room. It was a rule we came up with to strengthen our bond after some past misunderstandings. Now, we’re close enough to call each other best friends—mabudachi, as Mina insists.

When it comes to a mabudachi, there’s no need for restraint. I let myself relax to the point of laziness, rolling around aimlessly on the floor. Yet, the lingering sense of unease refuses to leave me.

“Seriously… Couldn’t you at least try to pull yourself together a little?”

Mina sighed as she looked at my pathetic state. However, it was clear her criticism wasn’t serious. She knows exactly the kind of person I am. That’s what makes her such a reliable mabudachi.

Our friendship only became this close because I miraculously defeated her in a duel. That earned her respect. I shudder to think what would’ve happened if I’d lost.

We were that hostile toward each other before the fight. The thought of losing to her still sends chills down my spine. I’m truly grateful I won.

But wait—why did I even fight Mina in the first place?

“Mina, why did we fight back then?”

I dove into my favorite giant cushion, hugging it tightly as I directed the question to her. For some reason, I just couldn’t remember.

Mina raised her head from the cushion and shot me a glare.

“Don’t make me remember that… It was because you were in the communal bath!”

“No way. If that were the case, I would’ve just let you hit me instead.”

“How can you say that so seriously…?”

I dislike unnecessary conflict. It’s just too much trouble. Besides, that incident wasn’t really anyone’s fault, though Mina could be considered the victim.

Even if she had been angry and started a fight, I wouldn’t have retaliated. I would’ve just offered my cheek and let her punch me.

Or would I…? Maybe I’d have bolted out of there like a rabbit escaping a predator. After all, I hate pain, and Mina’s punches could probably kill me.

In any case, I definitely wouldn’t have fought her. I’m confident in that much. Even if it’s pathetic, I own my cowardice.

So why did we fight? And why can’t I remember?

When I sat up and said this in all seriousness, Mina looked taken aback.

“But now that you mention it… Yeah, you wouldn’t have fought back.”

She nodded, quickly coming to the same conclusion, and put her hand on her chin in thought. That’s what makes her such a good mabudachi. She understands me well.

“Exactly. Something feels off…”

“It’s like… there was someone else there. Someone really irritating…”

As we racked our brains, Mina muttered, scratching at her freshly brushed hair with both hands.

“Ugh, I can’t remember! What the hell is going on?”

“Could it be… that someone did something to us?”

If it were just me, I’d chalk it up to a memory lapse or confusion. But if Mina feels the same unease, that changes things. A chill ran down my spine.

Mina suddenly jumped to her feet.

“Huh?! Since when? And who?!”

“I don’t know. If I knew that, I wouldn’t be struggling here… It’s just a hunch at this point.”

“Tch… Sorry, you’re right. But something’s definitely not normal.”

“Yeah… By the way, Mina, have you been outside the mansion recently?”

Curious, I asked. Mina’s eyes widened in shock.

“I… haven’t. Not even once. And I didn’t think that was strange until now…”

That’s right. It hadn’t crossed my mind until this moment, but staying in the mansion for an entire month was unusual. Not just for me, but for Mina too. While she’s kept up with her training, she hasn’t done anything else.

Mina, who aspires to become an S-rank miner, hasn’t worked in a month. Not only her, but Elle has also been by my side the entire time. Sophie hasn’t left the mansion either. And Kreis-san… wait, isn’t it odd that Kreis-san has been in the mansion all this time?

The male members of Spirit Wind don’t normally stay in the mansion overnight. Yet, Kreis-san has been wandering around here day and night for the past month, greeting me with a cheerful hug every time we cross paths.

I hadn’t questioned it before, but now—

“Knock, knock, knock. Knock, knock, knock.”

A flat voice called from outside the door.

Mina hurried over to the door.

“Sophie, if you’re here for a massage, now’s not—”

“Was this a bad time?”

“Actually… no, this is perfect. Come in, Sophie.”

Invited inside, Sophie gave a polite bow before tilting her head at us.

“Is there a serious issue?”

“I’m not sure… Something feels wrong, though.”

“Sophie, have you noticed anything strange lately?”

Sophie pressed a finger to her lips in thought, her eyes closing momentarily.

“No… nothing comes to mind. Is there something unusual happening?”

“Yeah, it seems like someone has been messing with us without us realizing it.”

“Tampered memories… or maybe hypnosis. Whatever it is, both Noil and I aren’t ourselves. Are you okay, Sophie?”

“I… don’t know.”

“Figures. First, we need to tell Elle. Wait here.”

With that, Mina went behind the divider and quickly returned, now dressed in her usual attire. She laced up her boots and stood by the door.

“Let’s go.”

I nodded, slipping on my shoes. Sophie shut the door behind us as we headed toward Elle’s room.

But then—

“Ah…?”

Suddenly, my vision blurred and distorted, and I felt myself losing consciousness. Without understanding what was happening, I collapsed onto the carpet. Through my dimming vision, I caught a glimpse of Mina, who had also fallen.

What… is… this…

In the corner of my fading vision, a familiar maid’s uniform came into view.

◇

Fiona Mabel stood, seething with rage, glaring at the Spirit Wind party house.

Her face twisted with fury, but her expression was hidden behind heavy goggles. Only a trickle of blood dripping from the corner of her mouth betrayed her anger.

“Alright then, time to get started.”

Beside her, the alabaster beauty Milis Albama grinned wickedly, brandishing a crude blade—the Divine Slayer Sword.

The Divine Slayer was an artifact designed to destroy other artifacts, but it required a month to charge and would break after a single use. Fiona knew this, but she didn’t care. If anything, she found the long wait infuriating.

“Hah… Noil really can’t manage without me.”

Standing next to Milis was Noel Sialsa, smiling tenderly as she spoke in a syrupy voice. Her eyes, however, were devoid of any light.

Fiona knew that during the past month, Noel had awakened her Magis Gear and greatly improved her mana control. But none of that mattered. If anything, it only added to Fiona’s frustration.

Fiona said nothing. Her overwhelming fury had rendered her utterly silent.

Milis raised the Divine Slayer Sword with both hands and brought it down at lightning speed. The blade shattered into pieces, and with it, the invisible barrier encasing the mansion disappeared.

Nothing stood in their way anymore.

“Let’s go get Noil.”

With those words, the maidens of White Road stormed the Spirit Wind party house head-on.