Chapter 4: Interrogation and Punishment
“Good morning, Magnus-san!”
“Morning…”
The next morning, when we gathered in the inn’s dining hall, Alicia greeted me with a bright, cheerful smile. Naturally, she had changed out of the maid outfit from last night and was back in her usual mage’s blouse and skirt. Her appearance was so pristine that it almost seemed like last night’s debauchery was a complete lie.
On the other hand, perhaps because of what she made me do before bed, I felt a lingering fatigue deep in my bones. While I ordered a modest breakfast, Alicia, in stark contrast, piled her plate high with food even this early in the morning.
“So, what’s the plan? Ogris Forest is supposed to be pretty dangerous,” I said.
“Well, since we’re venturing into an unknown forest, I think it’s best to talk to a hunter who knows it well and, if possible, have them guide us,” Alicia replied.
“That makes sense.”
It was hard to believe this was the same person from last night, given how remarkably sensible her suggestion was.
“A hunter might also know if people have been coming and going in the forest,” she added.
“True. Let’s go talk to one right away.”
“Yeah.”
And so, we set off to meet a hunter living in the town of Arshe.
The hunter explained that he occasionally ventured into the forest to hunt animals and gather rare plants or insects to sell as materials. According to him, there had been faint traces of people entering and leaving the forest recently. He also mentioned that clergy members sometimes asked him to guide them into the forest.
“I can’t just let ordinary folks with no experience wander into the forest, but adventurers like you two should be fine,” he said.
With that, he led us into the forest.
For a while, sunlight filtered through the trees, but the deeper we went, the darker it became, until we could barely see without Alicia’s magical light. Eventually, the hunter stopped at the base of a large tree.
“This is as far as I can take you. Beyond this point, there are dangerous animals, plants, and insects. Even I don’t usually go any farther,” he said.
“Thank you so much,” we replied, bowing to the hunter who had guided us.
“I don’t know if the person you’re looking for is out there, but I’ve seen people coming and going in that direction a few times. You should check it out,” he said, pointing.
I held up a compass to mark the direction he indicated.
If people were moving in and out, there was a good chance Lestia—or at least one of their higher-ups—was there.
“Take care, then,” the hunter said before leaving.
And so, Alicia and I were left alone in the forest.
“Alright, let’s go,” I said.
“Yes,” she replied.
Relying on the glow of Alicia’s magical light, we pressed deeper into the forest.
Since parting with the hunter, the plants and animals we encountered were increasingly unfamiliar, unlike anything we’d seen elsewhere.
And then—
Rustle rustle!
“Gah!?”
A sudden pain shot through my leg, and I reflexively swung the whip I’d been holding. With a sharp crack, I crushed a scorpion-like insect.
Thanks to the “Blessing” on the whip, the insect was dispatched effortlessly, but a dull, throbbing pain pulsed through my stung leg.
“This sensation… is it poisoned?”
“Cure Poison!“
As Alicia chanted, a healing light enveloped my leg. The moment her magic took effect, the pain subsided completely. If we didn’t have someone who could cast detoxification magic, we’d have had to turn back right then and there.
“Thanks,” I said.
“No problem—kyaah!?”
Splat!
The next moment, a sticky, slimy substance rained down on Alicia from a plant overhead. In the pitch-black forest, carrying a magical light made it easier for us to see our surroundings, but it was also like shouting, “Aim for us!” to any enemies lurking nearby.
“Simplified Transmutation: Fire Arrow!“
Reacting quickly, I transmuted a piece of iron and a magic stone fragment from my pocket into a flaming arrow and aimed it above Alicia’s head. Vines—likely trying to ensnare Alicia, who was immobilized by the slime—were descending toward her.
Hiss!
The vines caught fire and burned to a crisp under the flaming arrow’s assault.
“Take this! Enchant Flame!“
I imbued my whip with fire magic and struck the base of the tree that was extending its vines. Normally, a whip wouldn’t do much against a thick tree trunk, but enhanced by the “Blessing” and infused with fire—an element effective against plant-based monsters—the whip scorched the trunk on impact.
Hiss!
Though the tree monster didn’t scream, it fell silent with a short, sizzling sound and stopped moving.
“You okay?” I asked.
“Y-yeah, more or less…”
Even Alicia, who usually remained unflappable, answered in a slightly weakened voice.
She was covered head to toe in slimy, sticky liquid, struggling to move her limbs. Her clothes were drenched and clung to her skin, revealing patches of it under the magical light in a strangely provocative way. Her large chest, in particular, was tightly outlined by her clothes, with her undergarments faintly visible—a sight that was almost too much to handle.
“If it were a status ailment, I could do something with magic, but this slime is just… sticky liquid, so magic can’t help,” she said, trying to wipe it off with a towel. But the towel only got sticky too, and the slime wouldn’t come off easily.
I sighed, averting my eyes from her.
“Ugh, this is tougher than I thought. If we’re going to get attacked from every direction like this, we should’ve prepared better armor.”
Some armor is imbued with magical properties that prevent substances like slime from adhering to it.
What Alicia is wearing is likely a garment designed to enhance magical abilities (it offers almost no defensive capabilities, but its magic-enhancing properties seem to be among the best in the kingdom). However, it’s ill-suited for a forest like this, where invisible enemies strike from all directions.
With my Simplified Transmutation, it wouldn’t be impossible to create full-body armor, but if I made Alicia wear it, it would likely hinder both her movement and her magic.
“You’re right. Changing clothes in the middle of the forest is a bit much, but I really should change,” Alicia said.
“Change into what?” I asked.
I couldn’t imagine there’d be a convenient outfit that offered high defense without impeding movement or magic in a forest like this. Normally, the clothes she’s wearing now would have been chosen for their balance of functionality and ease of movement. Switching to spare clothes would likely lower her defense even further. But then, a certain idea popped into my head.
“No way…” I muttered.
“Yes, since it’s already been ‘Blessed’, I thought we might as well put it to use,” Alicia said.
“…”
Alicia spoke as if it were no big deal, but wearing that scandalous maid outfit outdoors… Sure, it’s unlikely we’d run into anyone in this forest, but still.
When Alicia extinguished her magical light, the surroundings plunged into complete darkness.
From the darkness came the soft rustle of fabric, and I could feel my heart pounding faster.
“C-changing right here, of all places…?” I stammered.
“It’s so dark, you can’t see anything, right?” she replied.
“That’s not the point…”
“I’m all sticky and embarrassed right now, so please don’t peek, okay?”
“I’m not gonna peek even if you tell me to!”
I was oddly surprised that she found being sticky embarrassing. And the way she phrased it made it sound like it’d be fine to peek if she weren’t sticky.
Hearing only the rustle of clothes in the darkness, without being able to see her, was doing a number on my heart. It felt like an eternity, though it was probably just a moment. When I noticed the light flicker back on, I turned to see Alicia standing there, dressed in the same shameless maid outfit from last night. The plunging neckline, the tight fit emphasizing her figure, the short skirt—it was less a uniform for maid work and more a garment designed to highlight her sensuality. And to think, a princess who looks so pure is wearing this in the middle of a forest.
“Phew, that should do it,” she said.
Looking at her, I felt like the perverse absurdity of it all might drive me insane.
And seeing that outfit brought back memories of last night, making me feel even more uncomfortable…
“Sorry, I only have one, so you’ll have to manage on your own, Magnus-san. I’ll help as much as I can with magic,” she said.
That’s not what you should be apologizing for.
“Y-yeah…” I mumbled.
Still, I forced myself to accept that increasing Alicia’s defensive capabilities—given her proficiency in healing and support magic—was probably a good thing.
As we continued through the forest, we faced a barrage of challenges.
“Uwaaah!?”
Suddenly, long vines shot up from the ground, wrapping around our bodies. Ahead of us was a massive sac filled with acid. The vines tried to drag us toward it, but the moment they touched Alicia’s maid outfit, they unraveled and slipped away. From the side, pollen that seemed to carry poison or hypnotic effects drifted toward us, but it had no effect on Alicia.
Her flimsy outfit looked like it might reveal something important with every move, yet it repelled every enemy attack.
“Fire Arrow!“
While I was immobilized, Alicia effortlessly cast her spell, burning away the vines entangling me and the acid-filled sac.
“Phew, that was close,” she said.
“That ‘Blessing’ really is something else…” I remarked.
“Indeed. It’s a legendary effect, after all,” she replied.
If a mere maid outfit could be this powerful, imagine what it could do with proper armor. It’d probably make her invincible.
Then again, I doubt Alicia would ever activate that power while wearing proper armor…
As I mulled this over, we kept moving.
“Uwaaah!?”
“Kyaa!?”
This time, the ground gave way beneath us, and we plummeted with a sudden sense of weightlessness. Even the mighty ‘Blessing’ couldn’t defy gravity.
The next moment—
SPLASH!!
With a massive spray of water, we landed in something. Instantly, the parts of my body touching the liquid (if it even was water) began to sting and go numb.
Could this be some kind of poison swamp?
Looking around, I saw frog-like monsters with webbed digits swimming toward us. Damn it, so this is how they prey on people and animals that fall into the swamp.
“Take this!” I shouted.
Despite the numbness creeping through my body, I swung my whip desperately.
Gweee!?
The whip only grazed them, but thanks to the ‘Blessing’’s power, the frogs let out horrific screams. Seeing this, the others backed away.
Still, they kept us surrounded at a distance. My body was growing numb, and I was reaching my limit when—
“Hover!“
With Alicia’s voice, I felt my body lift, carried by wind magic. Looking at her, I saw she was perfectly fine, despite being dunked in the poison swamp. Given the revealing nature of her maid outfit, you’d think her exposed chest or legs would’ve been affected by the poison, but it seemed the magic protected even the uncovered parts of her body. The ‘Blessing’’s power was terrifying…
“Are you okay!? Cure Poison!“
“Yeah, thanks,” I said.
Her detoxification spell restored my body’s vigor.
With that, those frog monsters were no longer a threat.
“You bastards!” I shouted.
I swung my whip in retaliation for earlier.
Gweee!?
Gyaaa!?
Each hit drew grotesque screams, and the frogs sank into the swamp, bubbling.
Once the enemies were gone, I finally landed on the shore alongside Alicia.
“Ugh, that was awful…” I groaned.
“Sorry, I was the only one protected by armor…” Alicia said, sounding a little guilty.
Even the ‘Blessing’ couldn’t prevent her from getting wet, though, and the maid outfit clung tightly to her body. If I looked closely, I could almost see her undergarments, both top and bottom—a sight that was incredibly bad for my heart.
Honestly, as someone with normal tastes, I found the sight of her wet clothes revealing her chest and undergarments far more arousing than whipping her…
“Well, it’s your power that made this possible in the first place,” I said, glancing at her body while giving a half-hearted response.
“How about we take turns wearing it after a while?” she suggested.
“Absolutely not!” I snapped.
What is she even saying!?
Sure, it’s powerful armor, and sharing it would be fairer, but that’s impossible for so many reasons.
“I suppose you’re right. In that case, I’ll gratefully make use of it… Tinder,” Alicia said.
With her spell, a small flame appeared, drying her clothes.
“Yeah, do that,” I replied.
And so, despite falling into various traps in the forest, we pressed on, thanks to the overpowered maid outfit and Alicia’s unscathed magic. It might sound like I was useless, but I took the lead in fights against regular animals like wolves and grizzlies. Though they were supposed to be tough, they were no match for the blessed weapon and Alicia’s magic.
Eventually, we found traces of human activity and followed them until we reached an open area.
Right in front of us was a lone cabin and a hillside, with a cave extending deep into the slope.
“Ha… ha… finally out of that damn forest…” I panted.
“That was truly a terrifying place. Good work, Magnus-san,” Alicia said.
Unlike Alicia, who was shielded from most attacks by the maid outfit, I’d taken a beating. She healed me each time, but the fatigue kept piling up.
And every time she moved, that short skirt threatened to reveal what was underneath.
Despite what happened last night, seeing her undergarments out here felt wrong, and I kept looking away… which only added to my exhaustion.
The psychological toll was real, and I was about to suggest a break when—
Bang!
The cabin door swung open, and a figure emerged.
“So, you’re the adventurers sniffing around our business,” the figure said, drawing a longsword from their waist before we could react.
But then I recognized them.
“You… Wait, Wendy!?”
“Geh! M-Master!?”
Wendy’s voice, unlike her initial menacing tone, came out in a comically flustered squeak.
Hearing it, I was certain.
She looked slightly different, but it was definitely Wendy. The last time I saw her was during that incident, but rather than anger or resentment, I was mostly baffled. Why was she here?
Wendy, meanwhile, seemed equally confused seeing me, but her face turned bright red when she noticed Alicia beside me.
“Bringing a big-chested girl like her to a place like this, dressed in such a revealing cosplay outfit—you really are a pervert!” she accused.
“No! There’s a serious reason for this maid outfit—it’s not what you think!” I protested.
“There’s no way there’s a serious reason for parading a beautiful girl in such an erotic maid outfit! You were looking at me like that too, weren’t you…?”
“There is a reason! And besides, you’re the one who spread those false rumors about me!”
Damn it, of all times for her to see me dragging Alicia around in this outfit. Doubt, anger, resentment, the urge to retort, and the embarrassment of having Alicia dressed like this swirled chaotically in my mind…
“You’re gravely mistaken!” Alicia shouted from behind me.
Phew, she’s going to clear up the misunderstanding.
Or so I thought, for a fleeting moment.
“My master and I have a strictly master-servant relationship. A girlfriend? That’s far too presumptuous!” she declared.
“Wha—!? No way, your lust has driven you to that!?” Wendy gasped, dumbfounded.
Her accusations stemmed from the false rumors she spread, but it seemed her imagination was running wild, forgetting her own role in it.
Honestly, I was speechless for entirely different reasons… But now wasn’t the time for that. I needed to ask the most important question.
“I’ve got a lot to say, but… why the hell are you here?”
“I realized something—the true salvation,” Wendy said, her expression turning dreamy as she began to recount. Apparently, after I was gone, she tried to concoct a bust-enhancing potion and failed spectacularly. I used to stop her from messing with shady vendors selling materials for things like bust or height enhancement, but it seems she went ahead and failed anyway.
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On top of that, Wendy’s skills as an alchemist were still immature, so she apparently earned quite a bit of scorn for that as well. And while she was wallowing in despair, she was recruited by a sister of the Holy Mother Church.
Honestly, I have zero interest in her self-absorbed sob story, and it only fuels my anger, but I force myself to listen quietly to gather information about the Holy Mother Church.
Alicia, likely realizing that Wendy is the former disciple who framed me, also listens in silence.
And then—
“…and that’s how I came to encounter the Holy Mother Church. When I first met Lina-san, I was convinced that this was a doctrine truly worthy of faith. And so, I came to this town and was guided to Lestia-sama,” Wendy said.
Her earlier anger seemed to have vanished, replaced by an almost euphoric fervor as she spoke.
Finally, her tedious personal tale was over, and the conversation was getting to the heart of the matter. I focused intently on listening.
“So, I participated in the Holy Mother’s Embrace Ceremony… and I’ll never forget how it felt! It was like being enveloped by a great presence, forgiving all my sins, accepting me completely…! A being with deeper maternity than even my real mother! No, maternity doesn’t even begin to describe it—I was wrapped in boundless kindness and warmth! I want to become a woman overflowing with that kind of maternity—and with big breasts, too!”
Wendy’s face took on a dreamy expression as she recalled the moment.
Okay, no matter how much maternity you have, it’s not going to make your chest bigger.
Part of me wanted to snap at her for feeling absolved after framing me, but more than that, it was clear that Lestia was not someone to underestimate.
“So, what exactly is this Embrace thing?” I asked.
“I don’t fully understand it myself… but Lestia-sama must be imbued with the power of the Holy Mother. She envelops us with that power. But because of it, she’s been persecuted and forced to hide in this forest…” Wendy explained.
Ordinarily, a human wielding divine power would be impossible… I glanced at Alicia.
“Even if she was shaken up, to turn someone into a devoted believer like this suggests considerable charisma and magical prowess,” Alicia said.
Her take seemed to be that Lestia wasn’t actually channeling the Holy Mother’s power but merely making it appear that way.
As I mulled this over, Wendy turned to Alicia.
“You, the lewd-looking lady. You’re another victim of Magnus, aren’t you? I feel so sorry for you,” she said.
“I keep telling you, that’s not true!” I snapped.
If anything, I’m the one suffering from Alicia’s antics.
“You’ve got a lot of maternity in you, I can tell. Ditch this creep who makes you wear scandalous clothes for humiliation play and join the Holy Mother Church to heal lost souls!” Wendy urged, her expression intense.
Does joining the Holy Mother Church turn everyone into this kind of zealot?
“Humiliation play… I see, so that’s a thing,” Alicia said, nodding as if she’d gained some profound new insight.
What is wrong with her?
We’re in a tense situation, closing in on the heart of the cult we’re investigating, facing the person who ruined my life, no less.
“In war epics, it’s like the thrill you feel when a captured woman is paraded before the masses,” Alicia continued.
“Huh?” Wendy said, looking utterly confused by Alicia’s self-satisfied nod.
Damn it, she’s making Alicia learn more weird stuff.
“Anyway, I belong to my master, so I won’t join some shady religion,” Alicia declared.
“No way… when this guy is a hundred times shadier…” Wendy muttered.
What is wrong with these two?
Wendy looked dejected for a moment, but her disappointment quickly turned to anger, and she glared at me.
“Grr…! While I was falling apart, you tamed a big-chested beauty and paraded her around in this erotic outfit! I can’t forgive you! I tried so hard to make mine bigger, and you’re rubbing it in my face, aren’t you!?”
She glared at me as if I were her mortal enemy.
Didn’t she just say she was saved by the Holy Mother Church? And I’m not taming anyone, you pervert! Also, everything started because of your actions, and how could I possibly rub it in when I didn’t even know you’d be here? There were so many things I wanted to retort, but I didn’t have the chance.
No sooner had she finished speaking than Wendy charged at me with terrifying speed, her sword drawn. She seemed genuinely jealous and furious about me being with Alicia, radiating killing intent.
Wait, shouldn’t I be the one angry at her? Why is she angrier than me?
“But it all ends today. I’ll defeat you, gain the Holy Mother’s approval, and make my chest bigger!!” she shouted.
Her words were nonsensical, but her obsession fueled her magic, infusing her sword with dark energy.
Even Alicia let out a small gasp at the sight.
“It’s impressive. Everyone has some magic, but infusing a sword with it is harder than casting simple spells,” she said.
“No, I don’t think she could do something like that before,” I replied.
“Then she must have achieved it purely through jealousy and hatred,” Alicia concluded.
This is bad. Her combat experience far surpasses mine. And to think her intense fixation unlocked a new skill. So far, we’ve only fought petty bandits, forest insects, and plants—nothing serious. This is our first time facing someone trained in swordsmanship, but… we have no choice but to fight.
“Take this, Hellfire Sword!“
With her cry, the magic in her sword turned pitch-black. She was clearly stronger than when she was my apprentice. Is this the power of her negative emotions?
The black-magic-infused sword came at me.
I had no choice but to ready my whip.
Crack!!
The sword and whip clashed fiercely, repelling each other. To think she could parry a weapon enhanced by ‘Holy Power’—just how much jealousy and hatred did she pour into that strike? Normally, a whip wouldn’t stand a chance against a sword, but my weapon’s absurd strength held its own.
“Even in battle, you’re using a whip? You really did see me as a partner for your perverse games, didn’t you!?” Wendy accused.
Her hatred flared even more over something completely irrelevant.
“If that didn’t work, how about this… Hellrain Thrust!“
Now, Wendy unleashed a barrage of thrusts at blinding speed, like a torrential downpour.
My whip responded instinctively, but her overwhelming momentum pushed me back.
That’s when it happened.
“Trident Fire Arrow!“
“!?”
Three flaming arrows shot toward Wendy. Caught up in her hatred and focused solely on me, she was slow to dodge, and one arrow grazed her side.
She winced, and for a brief moment, a gap appeared in her defense.
“I’ve got your back,” Alicia said.
“Alicia…”
“Enchant!“
With Alicia’s magic, my whip grew even stronger.
“She’s got big breasts, she’s tamed, and she can use magic… Damn it, damn it, damn it!!” Wendy cursed.
“I keep telling you, that’s not true!” I shouted.
Wendy’s obsession and my retorts clashed as her hatred intensified. Now she had to watch out for Alicia’s attack magic, which could come at any moment, on top of her injury. Yet her sword’s magic only grew darker with her mounting rage.
The battle became a fierce stalemate, but then Wendy suddenly gave a faint smile.
“This ends it all…” she said.
She raised her sword high, and the black magic gathered around it in a quantity far greater than before.
She was clearly preparing some kind of ultimate move.
I couldn’t let her unleash something like that when I was already struggling.
That’s when it happened.
“Earth Bind!“
“What!?”
With Alicia’s chant, the grass at Wendy’s feet grew and Twisted around her. Caught off guard, she tried to dodge, but a blade of grass grazed her chest.
“Hyaun!?”
A sweet cry, ill-suited to the intense battle, escaped her lips.
She hadn’t flinched when the whip or magic grazed her before, but now a single blade of grass made her body tremble.
“No… my chest… it’s still sensitive…” she gasped.
So the aftereffects of that shady potion she mentioned were still lingering. As she writhed to avoid the grass, her earlier agility vanished, reduced to frantic flailing.
The magically grown grass seized the opportunity, entangling her entire body.
“No, please, not there… nngh!” she pleaded.
To think she was burning with hatred just moments ago, and now this? Just how sensitive is she?
It wasn’t what I expected, but a chance is a chance. I swung my whip without mercy.
“Stop… kyaaaahhh!!”
Crack!
The enhanced whip knocked her sword away and struck her body. With a loud scream, Wendy collapsed. I finally let out a breath.
“Phew, good thing it was just her…” I said.
“Well done,” Alicia praised.
“You saved me again. Especially that last move—it was perfect timing, right when I was about to counter.”
“Really? Lately, I’ve been able to predict your next move somehow… We must have great physical chemistry!” she said.
“You didn’t need to add ‘physical’ to that, did you?” I groaned.
Exasperated by Alicia’s unnecessary comment, I moved to restrain Wendy.
Her earlier monologue gave me the gist of things, but I figured I’d interrogate her just to be sure.
“Simplified Transmutation: Binding Rope!“
With my chant, the fiber scraps I held swirled into the air, transforming into a rope that bound Wendy’s limbs, rendering her immobile.
Alicia let out an “Ooh…” of admiration, but I ignored it for now.
“Hey, wake up,” I said.
“Ugh…”
After carrying Wendy into the cabin and calling out to her several times, she finally opened her eyes, looking frustrated.
She struggled to break free, but the ropes only creaked, holding her tight.
“I thought I’d finally make my chest bigger, but to lose to a pervert like you…” she muttered.
“…”
There were so many things I wanted to say, but it was too much hassle, so I let it slide.
“Alright, answer some questions. First, is Lestia inside that cave?”
“No way I’d tell you… hyaan!”
As she shouted, her movement caused the rope to rub against her chest, and she let out another sweet cry.
“As expected of Magnus-san. Making her moan without even touching her,” Alicia said.
“That’s obviously not me!” I protested.
What kind of potion did she make to end up like this?
“So, is Lestia in there?” I pressed.
“Y-Yes, she’s there! Happy now!?”
Wendy shouted, almost in desperation.
It was good that she answered honestly, but I wasn’t thrilled about the implication that I’d made her talk by touching her chest.
“How many people are in there?”
“Well, there are a few, but I doubt anyone’s stronger than me,” she replied.
Her attitude had completely shifted, and she answered readily.
“What were you doing here?”
“I was keeping watch and escorting people through the forest. Lestia-sama truly wants to spread the faith and save as many people as possible, but she’d be caught right away if she stayed out in the open. So she brings only trusted people here to receive her prophecies and the Holy Mother’s embrace,” she explained.
So, there probably aren’t too many people inside.
We asked a few more questions about the Holy Mother Church and Lestia, but we didn’t get much beyond what we’d already heard. Lestia does seem to have some kind of magical power, but Wendy didn’t know any more details.
“Alright, let’s move,” I said.
“Yes, but I think there’s something we should do first,” Alicia replied.
“What? Change out of that maid outfit?”
“Well, that too, but…”
She glanced at the bound Wendy.
A bad feeling crept over me. No way, she wouldn’t do that here, at a time like this, in a place like this, right?
“If we’re going to face Lestia-san, we’ll be up against our strongest enemy, both in terms of combat and mentality,” Alicia said.
“That’s true,” I agreed.
“To face our strongest enemy, we should prepare our maximum combat strength,” she continued.
“…Yeah,” I said, my bad feeling growing stronger.
Alicia was speaking passionately, but she doesn’t get this excited when talking about sensible things. When she’s this worked up…
“Magnus-san, I think if I were tied up and forcibly interrogated like her, I could activate the ‘Blessing’’s power!!”
“…”
I knew it. That’s why I didn’t want to do this in front of Alicia…
But I couldn’t exactly avoid interrogating Wendy or leave her unrestrained.
Meanwhile, Wendy, hearing Alicia’s perverse outburst, was dumbfounded.
“I knew you were a depraved brute,” she said.
“I keep telling you, those are all lies you pinned on me!” I retorted.
“How did you brainwash her!?”
“I didn’t!”
“Then what kind of monstrous taming did you—”
Wendy’s delusions were spiraling out of control.
If I let this go on, she might say something that’d corrupt Alicia further, so I decided to shut her up.
“Quiet… Shock!“
“Agh!”
I hit her with a burst of magic, and Wendy let out a cry before passing out.
With the nuisance out of the way, I turned to Alicia.
“Look, we’re in enemy territory here. We just took her down, but we don’t know when someone might notice.”
“From the look of this cabin, it doesn’t seem like many people come and go,” Alicia observed.
True, the cabin only had weapons and tools that likely belonged to Wendy.
There might not be much foot traffic, but wasting time here would only increase the risk of being discovered.
Even if there were no danger, doing that here is unthinkable.
As I hesitated, Alicia’s cheeks flushed even more as she spoke.
“A-And besides, a little risk of enemies showing up adds to the thrill, doesn’t it? ♡”
“No way…”
She’s insane.
No matter what I say, even things that would normally stop someone, it’ll only fan the flames with her.
“If you insist on refusing, I have my own ideas… Lock!“
“What!?”
The next moment, a keyhole materialized on the cabin door, and with a click, the door was magically locked. Not only could no one enter from outside, but we were now trapped inside.
It’s a relatively basic spell, but to think she’d use it here… Damn it, I let my guard down!
Still, I can use alchemy.
“…Simplified Transmutation: Universal Key!“
Metal scraps and a magic stone floated from my pocket, combining before my eyes into a magical key-shaped artifact.
A Universal Key is a magical key capable of opening any lock. Crafting one on the spot is moderately difficult, but to think I’d need it in a situation like this.
I hurriedly inserted the Universal Key into the magical keyhole, but—
“It won’t open!? Damn, what’s with this strength!?”
The keyhole didn’t budge.
Lock and Universal Key aren’t physical mechanisms. It’s essentially a showdown between “a magical lock that only opens with the caster’s designated key” and “a magical key that absolutely opens any lock.”
In the end, the one with stronger magic wins.
And sadly, Alicia, being royalty, possesses some of the strongest magic in the kingdom.
Realizing the key wouldn’t turn, I collapsed in defeat, while Alicia shot me a triumphant look.
“Actually, this lock has a passphrase set. If you’re in such a hurry to move on, you’ll have to interrogate me to get it, won’t you?” she said.
“Damn it…”
Despite her beautiful appearance, her true nature is that of an utterly self-centered woman who won’t budge until she gets her way.
If that’s the case, do I have no choice but to satisfy her quickly and get it over with?
I feel like I’m being dragged into Alicia’s mindset, but there’s no helping it.
“I’ll go change, then,” she said.
With that, Alicia swiftly slipped into the next room.
I thought she was changing, but it made sense—her maid outfit in its ‘Blessed’ state would probably make her impervious to the whip’s pain. The anticipation of what was about to happen, combined with the rustle of clothes from the next room, made my heart pound loudly.
Eventually, Alicia returned, now dressed in her usual travel outfit, slightly torn from the forest’s attacks, which somehow made her look even more provocative. She crossed her arms behind her back and declared boldly:
“Now, tie me up with ropes and interrogate me to your heart’s content!”
“No, if the prisoner’s acting like that, it’s not really an interrogation, is it?” I retorted.
“True. What should I say in this situation? Let’s see… ‘I may be your prisoner, but I have no information to share with you!’”
In an instant, Alicia’s expression turned serious, glaring at me.
She seemed fully immersed in the role of a captured prisoner, and I almost felt like I was actually interrogating her.
This was probably knowledge she gleaned from scenes in war epics or history books about prisoners being interrogated.
I absolutely didn’t want to play along, but at this point, the only way forward was to trigger the ‘Blessing’ quickly. That meant I had to take this “play” seriously.
“Is that so? You’ll only talk big for so long,” I said.
At my words, Alicia’s face briefly lit up with expectation before returning to her defiant glare.
Damn, this is awkward.
“…Simplified Transmutation: Binding Rope!“
“Kyaa!?”
The fiber scraps I held flew toward Alicia, materializing into ropes that bound her body.
But then, something strange happened.
I only intended to restrain her with her hands behind her back, but the magical ropes went beyond my control, spreading to envelop her entire body.
Why was this happening…?
Then it hit me.
Normally, magic (unless the caster is unskilled) flows according to the caster’s intent, producing the desired effect. But this time, it was as if the magic was acting beyond my will, and the fiber scraps spread across Alicia’s body. I only meant to bind her arms and legs, but…
What’s going on?
Could it be… not my will, but Alicia’s? Or rather, could her magic be interfering with mine? Alicia herself didn’t seem to notice, her expression flickering between her role-playing and her genuine reactions.
Interfering with someone else’s magic is usually impossible. Even if it were, it would require exceptional magical skill.
But right now, my magic was being used around Alicia, who possesses an extraordinary amount of magic. And she had a strong desire regarding my spell. Perhaps her immense magic unconsciously reflected her desires, causing the ropes I created to bind her in a way that emphasized her chest, wrapped around her waist and hips, and tied her legs together so she couldn’t move. Finally, as if to seal the deal, the ropes dug into her skirt.
“Nngh… This is amazing! They’re binding me so tightly, it’s painful to even try to move! To think you’d bind me exactly as I envisioned, Magnus-san, you’re incredible…”
Alicia spoke with flushed cheeks, then suddenly caught herself.
“Ahem! No matter how lewdly you bind me, I’ll tell you nothing!” she corrected.
“Lewdly,” she said, and I couldn’t help but stare at her. Normally, her loose clothing downplayed her figure, but now ropes crisscrossed her body, accentuating her large chest through her clothes.
Her skirt, forcibly pulled by the ropes, was tied in a way that teetered on the edge of revealing what was underneath.
The ropes binding her legs dug into her soft, pale thighs, emphasizing them to an almost excessive degree.
“…”
I’d felt guilty about plenty of things before, but this was a different kind of guilt altogether, and I couldn’t help but swallow hard.
But I couldn’t afford to hesitate.
“Is that so? But I need that key opened soon,” I said.
I pulled out the whip.
Seeing it, Alicia swallowed hard in return.
“I-I may be bound tightly and unable to resist whatever you do, but… nngh, my heart will never yield to you!”
Hearing her say “unable to resist whatever you do,” a shiver ran through me. Whether intentional or not, she was stoking my sadistic impulses.
I raised the whip, trying to shake off the impure thoughts creeping into my mind. Alicia, for her part, wriggled to turn her body, presenting her backside. Each movement caused the tight ropes to dig in, eliciting soft “Ngh” and “Ah” sounds that only fanned my wicked thoughts. Damn it, why does she have to flaunt such an erotic pose at a time like this?
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“Is that so? How long can you keep up that attitude?”
I swing the whip down, channeling my mounting frustrations.
Crack!!!!
“Eek!? ♡♡”
The sharp sound echoes as the whip connects, and even Alicia winces. It seems that getting struck on bare skin with a ‘Blessed’ whip is painful, even for her.
But the pain doesn’t end with the whip.
When she trembles from the strike, the ropes dig in, adding another layer of pain. With no escape from the onslaught, Alicia’s breathing grows ragged.
“Ngh, ♡♡ Nn, ahh… ♡♡♡”
But the moment passes quickly. Her expression soon shifts to one of ecstasy.
“Haa, haa… ♡”
“How’s that? Ready to talk?” I ask.
“N-No amount of violence will change my heart! ♡” she retorts.
Says the girl with that hungry look on her face.
“Fine. Since you can’t move, I’ll just keep going until you change your mind.”
“Yes! ♡ …I mean, no matter what you do, I won’t yield!”
Alicia blurts out her true feelings before hurriedly correcting herself.
I swing the whip again.
Crack!!!!
“Ah, it hurts, nnnnn! ♡♡”
Crack!!!!
“Oww! ♡♡ Ah, ah, aaaaaaah! ♡♡♡”
With each strike, sweat beads across Alicia’s body, and her clothes, pressed tightly against her skin by the ropes, start to turn translucent. Her cries, initially pained, gradually take on a more enraptured tone.
“Haa ♡ Haa ♡ Whipping a bound, helpless prisoner over and over—you’re truly a brute! ♡”
You’re the one making me do this!
Irritated, I swing the whip harder than before.
CRACK!!!!
“Ah, ♡♡♡ T-That one really, ngh, ♡ hurt! ♡♡”
Alicia writhes as she speaks, the ropes creaking and digging into her skin with each movement. She lets out sultry “Ah ♡” and “Ngh ♡” gasps. Moving to ease the pain only brings more as the ropes tighten, assaulting her body. Normally, someone would be writhing in agony, but Alicia’s face is dyed more with pleasure than pain.
“Ah, the ropes digging in everywhere… ngh ♡ I’m being tormented even when you’re not hitting me! ♡ I can’t take much more… ah ♡”
As she gasps, her body begins to glow faintly. It seems this particularly intense “punishment” has brought the ‘Blessing’ close to activation.
Alright, let’s end this!
“To think you’d get excited during an interrogation, you pervert!”
CRACK!!!!
“♡♡ I-I’m sorry! ♡♡”
Just a bit more. I swing the whip, channeling all my resentment toward Alicia.
“Sorry doesn’t cut it. Are you ready to talk?”
“No, I want more… I-I mean, no matter how badly you treat me, I won’t say it! ♡”
“You started this, and you can’t even stick to the roleplay properly!?”
CRACK!!!!
“Hguh!? ♡♡ Ngh, nfu, aaaaah! ♡♡”
Alicia’s expression deepens into even greater ecstasy.
“I’m sorry! ♡♡ Being interrogated as a captive… ♡♡ Every whip strike, the pain, the ropes tightening—it’s overwhelming! ♡♡ My head’s all fuzzy, I don’t even know what I’m saying! ♡♡ If you hit me more… ♡♡ I’m going to…!”
CRACK!!!!
“Aaaaaaahhh! ♡♡♡ Being struck so forcefully… ♡♡ I can’t… ♡♡”
As she cries out, the faint glow of her magic suddenly erupts, enveloping her body in a brilliant light.
Yes, the ‘Blessing’ activated quickly this time!
I recall that the ‘Blessing’ imbues whatever Alicia is strongly focused on at the moment. In this case, the target would be…
The next moment, the ropes binding her begin to glow.
“It’s amazing! ♡♡ The ropes squeezing my whole body… ♡♡ They’re ‘Blessed’ and tightening even more! ♡♡ Squeezing me so tightly! ♡♡”
Alicia screams in a sultry voice, clearly overwhelmed by the sensation.
As the light fades, the ropes binding her shimmer brightly.
So, it’s the ropes this time, huh? But how am I supposed to use ‘Blessed’ ropes?
“They’re incredible… ♡♡ Even the slightest movement makes them creak so tightly… ngh ♡♡”
“Hey, it’s time to wrap this up… wait, what do I do with these?”
Then I realize a problem beyond how to use the ‘Blessed’ ropes.
Unlike the whip or clothes, what do I do with ropes that are binding her? I doubt a regular knife or sword could cut ‘Blessed’ ropes.
“Yes! ♡ I’m fine staying like this for a while! ♡♡”
Alicia says nonchalantly, her face still enraptured, which only irritates me more.
“Idiot! Have you forgotten we’re going to face Lestia!?”
“Huh!? R-Right!”
Alicia finally snaps back to reality, startled.
“Could you please untie these?”
“Y-Yeah…”
I don’t see any other option.
Reluctantly, I crouch beside Alicia and reach for the knots binding her, but…
“Damn, these are insanely tight!”
“Ah, if you touch them so roughly, the ropes dig in… nngh ♡”
As I try to undo the knots, Alicia lets out a seductive moan and writhes.
The ropes are so tight that even a little force makes them dig in, apparently.
This is bad!
Seeing her writhing, I swallow hard, hoping she doesn’t notice.
It’s easy to forget, but Alicia’s a stunning silver-haired beauty with a curvaceous figure. Right now, she’s bound in a lewd manner, lying on the floor, sweating, her face flushed with ecstasy. Her chest is nearly visible through her clothes, and her skirt is on the verge of flipping up.
Seeing her like this, I feel impure emotions welling up again.
And trying to untie the knots inevitably means touching her body. Even through her clothes, I can feel her soft, sweat-dampened skin, squeezed tightly by the ropes…
I know this isn’t the time, but I can’t stop my mind from wandering.
As I wrestle with these thoughts—
“Ngh, what’s wrong? Are you tempted to do something even worse since I can’t move?”
Alicia’s expectant gaze snaps me back to reality.
That’s right. No matter how beautiful or provocative she looks, she’s a masochistic pervert who still thinks I’m some depraved guy and forces others into her selfish fantasies.
To think I’d find her alluring even for a moment. No matter how gorgeous or erotic she appears, I can’t let myself be fooled.
But then, a question hits me.
“Why are you so fixated on me?”
“…What do you mean?”
“You said before that you don’t want just anyone doing this to you, right?”
“W-Well… I might get excited, but rationally, I wouldn’t want it,” she admits.
You’d still get excited!? But hearing she wouldn’t rationally want it surprises me and, oddly, relieves me a bit.
I recall “punishing” her in the maid outfit.
Back then, imagining her enjoying being “punished” by a stranger made me feel strangely uneasy.
“So why was I okay? At least when we first met, I was a stranger to you, aside from the rumors. Was there really no other reason besides those rumors?”
Last time, we were in the middle of the act, so I didn’t dig deeper.
Since untying the ropes was taking so long, I found myself asking this in the middle of enemy territory.
Alicia pouts slightly before speaking.
“You really don’t remember, do you?”
“Uh, no.”
What, did I have some past with Alicia?
“It’s a bit embarrassing, so I wasn’t going to mention it, but since you asked, I’ll tell you.”
She feels embarrassment?
“…You just thought something rude, didn’t you?”
“No, nothing.”
“Look, there are different kinds of embarrassment. F-For example, being paraded in shackles on a public road might be fine, but having your diary read would be embarrassing…?”
Her face flushes as she hesitates, her girlish demeanor clashing hilariously with her words.
“Sorry, I can’t relate at all.”
“Ahem. This was about ten years ago. A working alchemist named Warren visited the palace on business.”
“My master?”
He’s retired now, but he taught me everything. If he was at the palace, I might’ve been with him as a kid.
“Yes. Warren-san was staying at the palace to craft a magical artifact for my father. Back then, I was fascinated by alchemy, but my father and tutors insisted, ‘Royals should study history, etiquette, geography, and industry, not alchemy.’ So, one day, I snuck into Warren-san’s room while he was talking with Father.”
Sounds like she’s always been this bold.
“The room was filled with magical artifacts and materials I’d never seen. As a child, I was awestruck. I got closer, picking things up to examine them. But then, a boy about my age—Warren-san’s disciple—walked in. Thinking I’d been caught, I accidentally knocked a bottle off a high shelf. That’s when the boy suddenly pushed me down!”
Alicia’s fists clench, her words speeding up.
“I’d never been so close to a boy my age before—his breath was practically on my face! I was so flustered, my mind went blank, and with his body pinning me down, I couldn’t escape. Then, still in that position, he scolded me sternly, ‘This place is dangerous; kids shouldn’t touch things here for fun. Don’t do it again!’”
What kind of dangerous position is that? Not exactly kid-appropriate!
But if he was Warren’s disciple and around Alicia’s age, that’d be me. I don’t remember doing anything like that, though…
And even if it happened, how does that make her fond of me?
“As a princess, even then, I was second only to my father in status. Tutors and retainers always tread carefully around me. If I got a simple question wrong, they’d say, ‘You’re just off today; you can do it, Your Highness!’”
What’s wrong with that? But the issue’s probably in her head.
The story’s direction is giving me a bad feeling.
“Ministers and archbishops only ever hint at their opinions indirectly. And Father’s such a doting parent, he never scolds me. So being pushed down and scolded like that was a first for me!”
Alicia says this dreamily, but it’s just her warped fetish talking, isn’t it?
I’m utterly exasperated.
“But back then, I didn’t understand why it made me happy. It took years for me to realize my feelings—that being strictly punished by someone else is blissful.”
“…”
I wish she’d never realized that.
“When I looked into Warren-san’s disciple, I found it could only be Magnus-san. I kept gathering rumors about you, and you exceeded my expectations—better than I could’ve hoped!”
“No, that story’s full of holes, and I’ve never pushed down a random girl! Especially not a stranger!”
“Really? But it could only be you, and besides…”
Suddenly, Alicia, with her arms now partially unbound, yanks up the back of my shirt.
“W-What are you doing!?”
“Look, here’s the scar from when you shielded me from the chemicals!”
“Maybe…”
Her words jog a memory.
Now that I think about it, a girl once snuck into my master’s room and nearly knocked over some dangerous chemicals. If they’d hit her, she could’ve been hurt. I instinctively shielded her and might’ve scolded her, too.
I never realized she was a princess, so the incident was tucked away in the back of my mind.
“If that’s what happened, lead with the part about shielding you from chemicals! The way you told it first makes me sound like a creep! And I didn’t push you down—I shielded you!”
“No, you definitely pushed me down! You straddled me, pinning my arms and legs, your face so close it felt like you might pounce…”
“That ‘about to pounce’ part’s your imagination!”
Her fetish twists her perception, so I can’t trust her at all.
“And didn’t you teach me about alchemy afterward?”
Now that she mentions it, I vaguely recall that. Back then, I was thrilled to share my newly learned knowledge. Shouldn’t that be the main memory? Instead of a nice memory like “showing me a new world of alchemy despite only knowing palace life,” she remembers me as “the guy who pushed her down and seemed about to pounce.”…
“Besides, if it was a princess, even ten-year-old me would’ve noticed!”
“Now that you mention it, I was disguised in plain clothes to avoid being spotted in the palace…”
“Seriously?”
So it really was Alicia. Thinking back, her hair was tied up, but it was long, beautiful silver hair like Alicia’s.
“I couldn’t forget that moment. But no rumors suggested you had that fetish, so I thought I’d misunderstood.”
“That’s the truth!”
“Then marriage talks came up, and I tried to convince myself to let go of my personal memories as a royal. That’s when I heard you loved strictly punishing women!”
“Those are lies! So, you misunderstood me from our first meeting and even before that. Ugh…”
I let out a deep sigh.
“What misunderstanding? I think you’re a wonderfully rugged, masculine man… ngh, don’t touch there! ♡”
I accidentally put too much force into untying a knot, and a sultry moan escapes Alicia’s lips.
Her voice makes it hard to focus.
“Could you try to hold it in? That sound’s distracting.”
“But when you touch me like that… ahn! ♡”
She moans again as I move my fingers.
Normally, someone in this situation would sound pained or distressed, but her voice is just… bad for my mental health.
“When I hear that, it makes me think of gagging you so you can’t make noise!”
Alicia’s eyes light up as if she’s had a brilliant idea.
“That’s it! If Magnus-san puts a gag on me, I won’t make sounds!!”
I’m even more exasperated.
“You just want to be gagged, don’t you? If you want to be untied quickly, just shut up.”
“No, I’m fine staying like this for a bit… nngh ♡”
“Ugh, seriously, nothing gets through to you!”
And so, I ended up wrestling with the ropes—and Alicia—for another several minutes.
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