Mental Rebirth: The World's Savior Was Not Me, but My Childhood Friend and Stalker - Chapter 24: The Collar of Subjugation

In the room where the Savior is confined, the mood becomes slightly awkward due to Treson’s intrusion. Still, the Demon Lord, seemingly regaining her composure, continues to engage in various conversations with me.

“Indeed, conversing with you is truly enjoyable. The more I listen, the more novel things I discover.”

The Demon Lord, apparently in a better mood, gracefully sips from her teacup again.

“Right, it’s not fair for me to only listen to your stories. Let me share one of mine. Ah, yes… This is about a certain king. There was a woman he ardently desired. Eventually, he forcibly abducted her to his kingdom and made her his wife. Naturally, the woman longed for her homeland, spending days in tears, refusing to eat, growing weaker with each passing day. Unable to bear it, the king decided to send her back home. However, after returning, she frequently visited the king. I wonder why that is?”

“Could it be… she fell in love with the king despite everything?”

The Demon Lord laughs at my answer, finding it a romantic notion. Indeed, despite the rough beginning, if love emerged from there, it would be a love story. However, the truth seems different as the Demon Lord continues.

“It’s simple. When the king sent her back, he requested: ‘At least for the last time, show me a smile. We are holding a grand farewell ceremony, and even a fake smile would do.’”

Her words carry an implied meaning. The Demon Lord continues.

“The woman, overcome by the king’s earnestness, attended the farewell ceremony. It was a lavish affair with exquisite meals, a building prepared just for her, musicians… But the king had poisoned the meal. A highly addictive toxin. Once ingested, one becomes unable to feel satisfied without it. Essentially, the woman kept returning to the king because she was poisoned and suffered withdrawal symptoms without his food, making her body dependent on it.”

A twisted love story. It might be a happy ending for the king, having won over his beloved, but for the woman, it was far from ideal. Her will was completely disregarded. The Demon Lord smiles devilishly, hinting at the poison in the food… addictive…

I drop my fork. How many meals have I had since I arrived here?

“Yo-you… don’t tell me… I-I need to… throw up…”

I stand up, rushing to the bathroom. How much has entered my body? While panic dominates my mind, Sufle blocks my path.

“Your Majesty, that’s a bit too malicious. He’s genuinely frightened.”

The Demon Lord, surprised by Sufle’s remark, then seems to realize what she’s implied and hurries over to me in a flustered manner.

“Eh, ah, no, I didn’t mean it like that! Listen, Savior! I can do something like that, but I didn’t, right? That’s commendable, isn’t it? I haven’t poisoned your food! You haven’t felt any changes in your condition, have you?”

Thinking about it, that makes sense. But the worry that symptoms might be undetectable still lingers. However, there is no reason for her to lie here. Perhaps the Demon Lord wanted to boast that, despite being capable of such acts, she chose not to, but her plan backfired.

“I understand that you, Your Majesty, would not stoop to such a cowardly act as poisoning food.”

My words change the Demon Lord’s puzzled look to a bright smile as she cheerfully agrees.

“Well then, since I’ve earned your immense trust, you’ll agree to film a video of your surrender, right?”

“That’s not going to happen.”

“Why not! Damn… it’s about your friends, huh? I can arrange something for the elf and the maid… but the black-haired girl is off-limits. That’s non-negotiable.”

An impasse. I understand the Demon Lord’s position – Touko’s power is immense and can’t be ignored. Besides, filming such a video would only enrage her further.

“Alright, we’ll leave the video for another time. But for now, wear this collar.”

The Demon Lord hands me a collar. It seems like an act of subjugation. While I don’t fully trust her, I understand she harbors no malice towards me, so I put on the collar without hesitation. It’s just a collar, nothing more.

“Is it uncomfortable? I instructed the royal tailor to make the finest one suitable for royalty, but given its nature as a collar, there might still be some discomfort…”

The Demon Lord looks concernedly at my neck, but there’s no problem. Despite its flashy decorations, the collar feels light and comfortable, fitting naturally around my neck.

“Good. Tomorrow, let’s head to the port town, Luftla, wearing that collar.”

So, she intends to showcase the Savior’s defeat to the public. It’s annoying to be used this way, but I have no choice. However, this also presents an opportunity. While I’m trapped here, in Luftla, my friends might be there. If I can escape the Demon Lord’s watchful eye and regroup with them, there might still be a chance.

“Alright. When do we leave?”

I decide to play along with the Demon Lord’s scheme. It’s humiliating, but there’s no other way out for now.

In a cave near the port town Luftla, the Elder Elf Treson was hiding. It was right to record the transfer coordinates. Using the transfer stone, he managed to teleport there instantly. It’s a rare and expensive item, not to be used lightly, but this was the perfect moment.

“…Watch me, Demon Lord. Witness my loyalty, the radiance of my soul. Heh… Hehehe!!”

In front of the ancient ruins, Treson laughs. He is not worthless. This will prove it. The Demon Lord must see him as more worthy than that lower being. He believes the Demon Lord will recognize that he deserves her favor.

I arrive at Luftla almost instantly, thanks to the Demon Lord’s teleportation magic. Passersby’s stares bother me. Everyone is looking at my collar.

“Come, Savior. Look at that crowd. That’s where we need to be. Let’s go.”

The Demon Lord points towards a bustling market, the most crowded place in town. A perfect spot to make a statement. Contrary to my thoughts, the Demon Lord seems more interested in window-shopping.

“What do you think, Savior? Does this suit me?”

“Uh, well… I don’t know what you usually wear, so it’s hard to say…”

“I see you prefer to consider the entire outfit. Quite a strict opinion. Well, no matter. We’ll figure it out eventually. Shopkeeper, one of these, please.”

The shopkeeper, dumbfounded, accepts the money, his expression betraying his disbelief at serving the Demon Lord and the so-called Savior.

Our shopping continues. We try unfamiliar foods together. The Demon Lord is ever curious, asking me about everything, though I’m as clueless as her about this world.

“This is delicious! This one… um, not so much.”

“Feels a bit junky. Oh, but this is good, Your Majesty. Try it.”

“Ah, not bad! Grotesque but tasty.”

Our trial and error with food continue, highlighting the differences between our worlds. We share this fresh experience, wandering the market together.

“Ah, it’s fun to explore a human town. Where to next… Oh? Savior?”

Lost in the excitement, I realize the Savior has vanished. He must have gotten lost in the crowd. I could use my familiars to find him, but…

“That would be unsporting. Hehe, a little game of hide and seek could be fun.”