“We’ll Definitely Come Back to Save You!” — It’s Been Three Years Since I Was Left in the Most Difficult Dungeon, Isn’t It About Time for Help to Arrive...? - 28-29

Chapter 28: The Power of the Touch That Rots the Falsehood

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“Corrosive Touch…?”

“Yes. I was born with the ability to sense the authenticity or falsehood of things—and I can also sort of tell when someone is lying. When I find a weak point like that, I can target it and make it decay. That’s the power of this ability, Corrosive Touch—‘The Touch That Rots the Falsehood.’”

Hel chose a tree at random and gave it a light cut. Then, placing her hands simultaneously on both the wounded and the intact tree, the untouched one began to dissolve slowly, while the wounded one rapidly decayed as the corruption spread through it, collapsing in moments.

“…I see. So when you encountered them earlier, you used Corrosive Touch to detect the lies that had been implanted in their minds.”

I had assumed it was just some kind of physical decay ability, but then again, Hel was a dungeon boss monster once. Having that level of power wouldn’t be strange at all.

“…That phrasing makes it sound like I’m a dog or something, which kind of bothers me, but… Well, you’re mostly right. By the way, remember when you almost called me ‘clingy’ that one time? I know about that, you know?”

“Ah.”

The moment I realized I’d messed up, Hel climbed on top of me, lying flat on my stomach and pressing down with her full weight.

“—Now then, after understanding my ability, let me ask you again. Let’s start with something simple… Do you really think I’m clingy?”

“Hey, hold on! Why does this feel like I’m being interrogated all of a sudden!?”

“Answer the question. Or I’ll make it so you can’t breathe.”

“Ugh, scary…! It’s not like I really think you’re clingy or anything…”

Wait, hang on… Physically speaking, she’s light—around the weight of one person—but if we’re talking emotionally clingy, that’s a different story…

…Why the hell did I think something so unnecessary? If I’d just kept it simple, she wouldn’t have picked up on it. But now that I had created room for a lie to form—I just dug my own grave. Naturally, her power picked up on it right away—

“…I see. Even now, you think you can still lie to me…? Then go ahead. Tell me exactly what’s so ‘clingy’ about me…!”

Hel’s voice darkened as black mist writhed in her hands. She lifted her hips slightly—then slammed her body down and started grinding her weight into my stomach.

“Sorry sorry sorry! I only kind of thought about it for a second! Please forgive me!!!”

Even if it was her soft lower body pressing into me, it still hurt—and more than anything, it was making me incredibly flustered! While I was begging for mercy, Hel calmed down again and lifted herself up. This time, she placed both hands flat on the ground next to my face as I lay on my back.

“…So. Now you understand it’s pointless to lie to me, right?”

“Damn it… This is cheating…”

I couldn’t let it end with me being completely defeated. I had to find a way to throw Hel off somehow… 

No, wait. There’s no need to lie in the first place, right?

“…Well then. Let me finally hear your answer. Do you, or do you not, like—”

“—I do.”

Before she could even finish the question, I answered honestly, without hesitation.

“…Huh?”

“I like you, Hel. Watching your laid-back attitude actually cheers me up. And even when you pretend not to care, you always lend a hand when I’m in trouble, so I’ve come to rely on you. Most of all… I feel calm when I’m with you.”

“…Huh? Huh? Huhhh…!?”

“…I guess even if you’re immune to lies, you’re not too great with the truth, huh?”

She clearly hadn’t expected such a direct reply. Watching her pale face flush red like she was boiling over, I let a smile tug at the corners of my mouth, satisfied at my brilliant idea.

“All right, enough fooling around. We need to figure out how to deal with the lies implanted in those girls. …Hel?”

“…So this is what Athos is like when he gets bold… That was… That was actually kind of unexpected. But maybe… Maybe it’s not so bad after all…”

Hel mumbled something under her breath. When I asked what was wrong, she shook her head vigorously from side to side.

“It’s nothing… It’s nothing, really. More importantly—Athos, you want to bring your companions back, don’t you?”

“Yeah. Of course I do. …And judging by how you’re talking, do you have an idea how?”

“Yes. Athos, let’s form a contract. If you do, I can help save them.”

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Chapter 29: The Contract

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Contract. That single, heavy word made me swallow hard.

“If Athos forms a contract with me and becomes mine, I can bestow my power upon you. You’ll use that power to dissolve the lies possessing them.”

“The way you say it… Does that mean it won’t work if you use your power like before?”

“Hmm… It’s not that it won’t work, but there’s no guarantee it will.”

“What do you mean by that?”

Seeing I didn’t quite grasp her point, Hel tilted her head thoughtfully as she continued.

“At the very least, they genuinely believe you’re the Demon Lord. Which means, from their perspective, their words aren’t lies. So if we want to return them to normal, we can’t just go by what’s on the surface. We have to correct things at the very root, deep within their hearts… But I don’t have a close enough bond with them to be allowed that deep inside.”

“…I think I get it. To bring them back, we have to remove the lies in their hearts. And since I’ve known them longer than you, I’m the better fit for that. Roughly speaking, that’s the idea?”

“Yes, that’s roughly it. …So? What will you do? Personally, I don’t think it’s a bad deal—”

“No problem. Do it however you want!”

I spread my arms wide and stood in front of Hel, clearly showing I wouldn’t resist.

“Th-That was quick…”

“If this’ll bring them back, I’ll become a familiar, a slave, whatever it takes. I’ve been ready for that kind of sacrifice for a long time now. I wasn’t fighting on the frontlines of our party just for show.”

“…Hmph. I see…”

“Why the sour face…?”

“Oh, it’s nothing. Then let’s consider the contract… Established?”

As I nodded to her question, an eerie atmosphere filled the space around us. The sky darkened, the insects fell silent, even the trees seemed to stop breathing.

Then, from beneath our feet, black mist began to rise and swirl. I held my breath as I watched it spread—wilting the grass around us, quietly eating away at branches and leaves. It was as if the entire forest was kneeling before us.

“…Are you afraid?”

Hel approached, reaching out her right hand to me. Her voice was like the last ember in a dying fire—gentle, but undeniably intense.

I brushed aside the flicker of hesitation that surfaced for just a moment and reached out my hand to hers. At that instant, a black-violet crest emerged on the back of both our hands. The intertwined lines like chains and the geometric design at the center gave off a shapeless, universal sense of unease.

“…This contract isn’t one-sided. Just as you accept me, I will also accept you.”

Hel whispered gently into my ear.

The mist thickened. The air grew heavier, and every touch of her magical energy on my skin brought a burning sensation. Around us, the trees cracked, leaves turned black, and the corrosion reached into the very life force of the forest.

“If you desire power, be prepared for the price. Your body… And your heart… May slowly begin to rot. Even so—”

A faint smile appeared on her lips.

“…Will you accept me?”

I exhaled shortly, then lifted my gaze to meet Hel’s eyes directly.

“I believe in you. Lend me your strength.”

At those words, the crest engraved by the contract glowed brilliantly, and the surrounding mist gathered into my palm and poured into me. The dense magic filled my body, and its seeping overflow began to corrode the pebbles and grass around me.

“…So this is Hel’s power. It’s way more sinister than I imagined.”

“Of course it is. At its core, it’s pretty much a curse.”

Hel smiled, as if enjoying herself, and ran her fingers across the crest on her hand. I followed her gesture and looked at the same crest on the back of my own.

“…So the contract has been established, right?”

“Yes. From now on, without a doubt—I am Athos’s familiar.”

“I see, so that means you’re my fami—… Wait. What did you just say?”

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