Chapter 46
I definitely confirmed that Asti went into the room with White Mask and Muyeon.
And remembering that this world is a dark fantasy, I had made sure to lock the door securely.
I thought she might have some special ability.
That's why they said she'd help with clearing later and so on.
I fell asleep thinking about how to get closer to Asti tomorrow.
But then, someone was frantically waking me up.
When I opened my eyes, Ria was sweating profusely while trying to wake me.
"...Ria? What's..."
As I was about to ask Ria the reason, since it was still the middle of the night, I could hear the sound of metal grinding.
When I realized that sound was coming exactly from the entrance door, the door suddenly opened.
"...Asti?"
After confirming it was Asti who entered with an extremely polite posture.
"...What, why are you doing this!"
This was the current situation.
Her expressionless face looking down at me while holding knives in both hands, trying to stab me, looked like watching an emotionless psychopath.
Moreover, despite her small frame as a young girl, where did this strength come from?
Even with my body enhanced by the Chef's food, I could barely resist.
What should I do?
Should I use the center of gravity to turn my body sideways?
As I was thinking of ways to overcome the situation.
Thud!
I heard something collide with a crisp sound.
Soon I realized it was because Ria had thrown herself at Asti, headbutting her face.
As if to prove it, Ria, with a bump on her head, spread her arms to shield me from Asti.
Using the brief opening created by that, I was about to prepare for additional attacks when I saw something strange.
Asti was looking at Ria with a blank expression.
The strange part here was that she had a 'blank expression'.
No matter how cool and strong a human is, they should be shocked when seeing an Outer God.
Unless they're a cold-blooded person like the Hunter.
But Asti was looking at Ria as if she was 'familiar' with her.
No, it was an expression that couldn't be explained even by the word familiar.
That expression was closer to 'perplexity'.
As if she couldn't understand Ria's actions.
The strangeness didn't end there.
I could see from behind that Ria was also showing an intimidated expression she had never shown to any Outer God before.
What on earth is going on?
Why are these two acting as if they know each other?
Just as I was about to reach some conclusion.
Asti quickly withdrew the knives she was holding in both hands and bowed her head.
"I apologize for the intrusion. Have a good night, Master."
As if nothing had happened.
"W-Wait!"
I tried to grab her, but Asti just left the room.
What...?
She tries to kill me, and then leaves so shamelessly while even calling me 'Master'?
At least maintain some consistency!
As I was getting angry again, thinking it was another community bait, a paragraph popped up in my mind.
"Even if strange things keep happening, don't doubt and keep her with you.
Without her, you'll have to grind a lot when fighting the boss later."
Sigh.
Could it be that the 'strange things' they mentioned were referring to Asti directly attacking me like this?
Is the prerequisite having to endure life-threatening situations every day?
What's the reason for attacking in the first place?
Don't tell me the way of pleasing the master as a slave was some weird play that starts with S and ends with M?
...Enough complaining for now.
"...Ria?"
I carefully called out to Ria, who was still hanging her head down and looking far from peaceful even after Asti left.
Startled by my call, Ria's body trembled, and then she turned her head towards me.
She was smiling, but with an expression that somehow felt unsettling.
I was about to ask what happened, but Ria just shook her head and went back into my pocket.
Maybe it was just my imagination.
I guess it would be strange for them to know each other when they're from completely different places.
...By the way, is it really okay to sleep now?
What if she tries to stab me again while I'm sleeping?
But ignoring the overwhelming fatigue was nearly impossible as long as my body was human.
Or maybe Ria will wake me up again.
I fell asleep with a slightly anxious heart.
***
And unfortunately, Asti's attacks didn't end there.
"...Did you sleep well, Master?"
"If you're going to do this, don't bother with formalities! Why are you gritting your teeth while speaking?!"
Attacking me as soon as I wake up in the morning, just like the night before.
"Master, shall I prepare some tea for you?"
"Don't call me Master. And don't make any tea! You're trying to poison it, aren't you?!"
"...Tch."
"Did you just click your tongue? You did, didn't you?!"
After breakfast, she tries to poison me.
"Master. Forgive my impertinence, but could you hug me?"
"...You want to do this in such a crowded place?"
"Yes. If you could rub my cheeks too..."
"...Now you're trying to socially ruin me!"
While we were walking around the village for a while, she tries to bring about my social death.
...It's a secret that it reminded me of my younger cousin, and that I wanted to rub her cheeks a bit because of her doll-like appearance.
Anyway.
Maybe because of all these incidents today.
As soon as I entered the room, I threw myself onto the bed due to extreme fatigue.
I'm trying to trust and go along with it for now, but no matter how I think about it, it feels like I've been baited.
No, looking at Asti's behavior, it's clear I've been baited.
Even if it's a masterpiece game with many players, does it make sense for community managers to create entry barriers themselves?
If I had known this, I would have just believed the comments!
What's the use of regretting now?
I've already become a fool.
If I tell her to live freely now...
'Now I've become a useless doll. I understand.'
"Breaking news, even the Knights abandoned... Children caught as illegal slaves abandoned. Found as cold corpses."
"...Arghhhh!"
Feeling powerless that I couldn't do anything, I grabbed my head and squirmed on the bed.
Is this right?
Is this really right?!
Knock knock knock.
In the midst of this, someone knocked on the door.
It must be that assassin who's so cute I want to 'bite' her, unaware of my rotting heart.
"No! Today I'm going to enjoy the 'aesthetics of solitude'!"
I shouted loudly towards the door, but instead, the door opened.
However, as soon as I recognized who was at the door, I knelt down politely.
"...Master. You've come."
"The aesthetics of solitude isn't bad either. Or is this a declaration of your willingness to manage the railway with me for life?"
"...I have committed a mortal sin."
"Haha, it's fine if you understand."
The very benevolent, and now with a touch of kidnapping, White Mask forgave me with a light laugh.
"So, what brings you here...?"
"Ah, we need to leave the village now as we have to finish dealing with the lesser dragons tomorrow."
As she said this, White Mask looked towards the door.
I wondered why she suddenly looked that way, and then...
Creeeeak─.
...Isn't that crazy maid peeking at us with one eye?
I can see you completely!
Look at that gaze, it's exactly like a sparrowhawk waiting for an opportunity!
"I was wondering what to do with that child."
"Ah."
White Mask, unaware of that gaze, threw out a point to consider.
It was an unexpected premise.
I had naturally assumed we would take her along, but going to deal with the lesser dragons was very dangerous.
If something goes wrong, she could be sacrificed.
But going back to Rondan and coming back would consume too much time.
The newspaper article I recalled earlier kept flashing in my mind, so I didn't want to choose the option of leaving her behind even if it killed me.
"Or we could leave her here for a while, deal with the lesser dragons, and then come back..."
"I'll come with you."
As White Mask was about to propose a very wise plan, Asti interrupted.
Just stay quiet for a moment!
"Hm?"
"Where my master is, is where I should be."
"No, but it will be dangerous."
"It's okay."
Asti put her hands together on her chest and said:
"If it weren't for my master, my body and mind would have been broken anyway. If I can die helping my master, it would be an honor."
"...So that's the maid to that knight."
For some reason, White Mask lowered her head and supported her forehead with her hand, making a sound like 'Ugh...'.
Then she pointed at Asti.
"Alright! We'll take you with us this time. But you must stay still inside the train. It's dangerous if you come out."
"...I'm grateful for even that consideration."
Wow.
Insane.
What kind of otherworldly method acting is that?
The one who had only shown cold attitudes in front of me was now still expressionless, but showing a slightly emotional and refreshing expression.
What, is this really the same person?
"Then go to sleep now. We'll depart early tomorrow."
"Yes."
As soon as Asti retreated at White Mask's words, White Mask looked at me and said:
"That child really likes you. It makes me feel awkward for having thought about leaving her here."
...No, Master!
That's not it!!
There were so many things I wanted to refute, but seeing White Mask's demeanor, who might have shed tears if not for the mask after Asti's behavior, I decided to give up as she definitely wouldn't believe me.
...Damn it!
***
So we moved efficiently from the morning, and boarded the train making grand noises to move back to where the lesser dragons were.
I had become so accustomed to the uncomfortable ride that made my buttocks bounce that I could reach the level of falling asleep leaning against the window.
...Of course, I kept waking up due to the maid's needle approaching my neck.
As I was fighting off drowsiness, the train soon stopped at the station, and we all got off and went back to where the lesser dragons were.
"...No, what."
Muyeon was the first to look at the place and be surprised.
"...This isn't like her usual behavior."
White Mask also showed signs of displeasure as if the plan had gone somewhat awry.
Of course, because the Dragon Slayer, who they thought would have retreated by now, was clearly standing there.
Moreover, as if searching for something, she was looking around.
Could it be that she's on guard because we devastated the place once before?
"This wasn't in the plan. Maybe we should retreat this time..."
White Mask's words didn't finish.
Because.
Boom!
We clearly heard something explode behind us.
At that chilling sound, we slowly turned around, and the train was on fire.
"...Asti!"