Jobless Rising! ~I’ve Become a NEET. I Acquired Lewd Skills and Lived a Life of Sex in the Other World and in Japan. Before I Knew it, I Was Impregnating A Harem of Ladies?!~ - Chapter 53: The Captive Maiden, Filmeria

Chapter 53: The Captive Maiden, Filmeria

Alkrom, learning from his previous mistake, had prioritized securing Filmeria.

If their victory was to come, the capital might soon become a battlefield. To keep waging guerrilla warfare, Filmeria’s foresight needed to be neutralized.

Otherwise, the Twelve Radiant Generals could predict his moves again.

With that in mind, Alkrom infiltrated the noble district. Stuffing Filmeria into a sack and slinging it over his shoulder, he dashed through the capital. His enhanced physical abilities made him frighteningly fast.

He chose times and places with minimal foot traffic, moving cautiously yet boldly to avoid detection.

How long had he been running? Alkrom arrived at the ruins of an old park on the outskirts of the capital.

Though called a park, it was in a nearly abandoned area. Once a lively district, it had faded as other areas developed, leaving few residents.

In a massive city like the imperial capital, such neglected areas weren’t uncommon. They often housed those who couldn’t walk the main streets, so few dared to approach.

In this desolate place, Alkrom set down the sack and untied it, freeing Filmeria.

“I was rough… but I won’t apologize. Filmeria Fimirun, your power will serve our Liberation Army.”

“…”

Filmeria kept her gaze lowered, silent.

Already shy and with her death looming, she had no desire to engage with the man before her.

“What’s wrong? …I see. You… you approve of this empire as it is…!”

Alkrom’s anger flared visibly. Filmeria flinched, her shoulders trembling.

“Just another high noble…! You don’t care what happens to others as long as you’re safe…! Part of the same rotten nobility…!”

Her silence and averted eyes only fueled Alkrom’s rage. But then, a new woman appeared.

“Alkrom-sama.”

“…Mirea?”

The woman wore light armor with a longsword at her hip, the very image of a knight.

“Preparations for our escape are complete. His Highness eagerly awaits your return, Alkrom-sama.”

“…I see.”

“And that’s… the one?”

Mirea’s gaze fell on Filmeria, who looked every bit the delicate, sheltered noble maiden.

“Yes. I’d planned to bring her to His Highness, but she’d slow our escape from the capital. Answer me, Filmeria Fimirun. Do you side with that usurper calling himself emperor…!?”

Alkrom’s tone carried unmasked killing intent as he closed in on her. Faced with such menace, the girl could hardly respond.

Misinterpreting her silence, Alkrom drew his longsword.

“Alkrom-sama…”

“This will get us to His Highness faster. Besides, this Maiden of Lament must be dealt with here… or she’ll surely become a future threat!”

Yes, this was it. She would die here, just as her dream foretold. She had no power to change this future.

She’d known this was coming and had resigned herself to it. But with a sword now pointed at her, the fear of death surged overwhelmingly.

She didn’t want to die. No. She wanted to live. Why did this have to happen to her? Was her unhappy life to end like this?

If she died here, her existence would amount to nothing but a chain of misery.

“N… no…”

Tears streamed from both eyes. She’d accepted her fate moments ago, but now, facing death, she desperately wanted to live.

So, to defy her fate even a little, she let out the loudest scream of her life.

“Noooooo!! Somebody, help meeee!!”

“How pathetic…! Feel the anger of those you nobles have trampled without a thought… carved into your body!”

Alkrom, deeming her outburst shameful, swung his longsword down. The blade was about to slice through Filmeria’s slender frame when—

“Guh!?”

A fist-sized stone flew from behind the girl, passing her side.

It struck Alkrom’s torso precisely. Instantly recognizing the attack, he leapt backward.

*

‘Found him.’

“Already!?”

Just minutes after Cui took to the skies, her loli voice reached my ears, announcing she’d spotted Alkrom.

“We’re pretty far apart, and I can still hear you…”

‘Contractor privilege. There’s a distance limit, of course. More importantly, Alkrom’s location. It’s just past where you first met Erinabel.’

Following Cui’s directions, I sprinted through the capital at full speed. Wait… am I running crazy fast right now…?

“What about Erinabel!?”

‘She hasn’t found Alkrom yet. The hostage girl is unharmed… Hmm.’

“What!?”

‘The hostage girl. She’s quite the stunning beauty. Very much to my taste.’

“Your taste!?”

Which means she’s my type too! But this isn’t the time for that! Should I tell Erinabel first…!?

While I debated, I reached Alkrom’s location in no time. Damn, my legs are insanely fast!

‘Diagonal left ahead. See him?’

“Where!?”

I don’t know this place! Telling me “diagonal left” in a new city isn’t gonna help! I’m not seeing from above like Cui!

I was about to complain when a loud scream came from my left.

“Noooooo!! Somebody, help meeee!!”

“!!”

Instinctively, I grabbed a stone from the ground, took aim, and hurled it with all my might.

The stone spun—gyurururu—and flew straight, passing the girl’s side and hitting Alkrom’s torso… well, not piercing it, but landing a solid hit.

Alkrom leapt back sharply. Beside him stood a woman dressed like a textbook knight.

(Oh crap! I just threw a stone without thinking…! Well, the girl was in danger, so it’s all good, right!?)

Without a plan for what came next, I charged toward Alkrom. He noticed me immediately.

“You…! From before…!”

“Yo, Alkrom. Been a few days, huh?”

No, this isn’t the time for casual greetings! But I don’t know what else to say!

“…Here to take back the Maiden of Lament?”

“Huh? Who’s that? I just saw you and figured I’d pay you back for last time with another stone.”

Nine times out of ten, the Maiden of Lament is this girl… Filmeria.

But if I admit I’m here to save her, it confirms her value as a hostage.

(Wait, am I here to save Filmeria?)

I think I mostly wanted to help Erinabel. Whatever, details don’t matter! Because Filmeria-chan is…!

(So freaking cute! What is with this girl!?)

Yes, she was adorable.

Maybe around Erinabel’s age, or a bit younger. Her long silver hair gave off a mystical vibe, and her large eyes—one purple, one emerald—sparkled.

Her bangs were center-parted, with side and back hair flowing down to her waist.

And above all… even through her clothes, her breasts were noticeably large…! A petite, refined loli face with huge boobs…!

Cui swooped down and perched on my head.

‘Filmeria Fimirun. 141 cm, E-cup. Zero sexual or kissing experience. What a… tantalizing woman…!’

Cui let out a wicked tone. E-cup, huh…! Huge…!

I was staring at Filmeria-chan alongside Cui, but Alkrom didn’t drop his guard for a second.

“You threw a stone… for revenge…!?”

“That’s what I said.”

“You… Do you even know who I am…!? Who I’m fighting for…!?”