Chapter 35: In the Hidden Region

Seriously, I wish he wouldn't make such a big deal out of a little kick to the groin.

It's not like he stopped breathing or felt like his insides were twisting. Compared to the searing pain I felt the first time, it’s nothing, really. Hmph!

“You still don’t seem to be reflecting on your actions.”

“I’m sorry, I’m reflecting, please forgive me!”

As I cursed him silently in my heart, Master gave me that gentle smile of his—right before he threatened to pull away from me. I panicked, clung to him, and apologized. I don’t like it, but there’s no other way for me to survive this...

---

Yesterday, in a moment of playful mischief, I gave Master a sharp kick between the legs and made him drop to his knees. And he got seriously pissed off.

Now, as punishment, I’ve been fitted with this... contraption. A chastity belt that does horrible things if I’m not in physical contact with Master. I’d rather not go into detail. Please, just use your imagination.

It’s this black leather collar, like the kind you put on a dog, that seems to monitor contact. If even one part of my body isn’t touching him, I suffer. He slapped the thing on me during the day, left me alone, and didn’t come back until midnight. I barely remember any of it—that’s how bad it was.

I passed out, got jolted awake again, and the cycle repeated. I genuinely thought I was going to die.

The condition for forgiveness is that I wear it for three whole days. So here I am, stuck to Master like glue. If I let go, who knows what’ll happen...

“So you saw smoke?”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

As I quietly nibbled bread on Master’s lap, Kasai-san said something that caught my attention. Yesterday, while I was stuck to Master serving my punishment, he and Lulu went on a broader search of the area.

And they spotted something like smoke far to the east. There might be a settlement out there.

“How about I go check it out with Makoto and Lulu?”

“That’d be great if you can, Shuya.”

I looked up in alarm. That’s far. If something goes wrong, they could be gone for an entire day. Which means I’d have to endure this state all day long...

No. I’ll die. For real this time. My soul will leave my body and ascend to some beautiful unknown world.

Master glanced at me and smirked. …I get it now. So that’s how it is, huh? That’s the kind of person you are, huh, you bastard.

“...Master, I want to come too.”

“Hm? But we don’t know what’s out there.”

Don’t play dumb. The moment you considered bringing me, I knew you already had a pretty good idea. Still, I have to endure. I’m an adult. I can endure this.

“I... I don’t wanna be apart from my dearest Master~!”

“You’re such a clingy one, Sora… Fine, you can come.”

What kind of roleplay is this?

Seriously, someone up there, please strike this guy down. Now Kasai-san and Yuria, who don’t know the full story, are giving me these warm, pitiful looks. Lulu’s the only one who seems to get it and offers a wry smile. …Not that it really helps.

“Yaaay! I really love you, Master~!”

Half in despair, I threw myself against his neck and gritted my teeth while glaring at him from up close. But Master, that shameless pervert, just smiled radiantly and patted my head like nothing was wrong.

Damn it all!

---

After breakfast, we left Yuria and Fere behind to look after the base while we headed toward the source of the smoke. I was being carried by Master, of course, but that’s much faster than walking on my own, so I have no complaints.

The four of us lined up single file and moved through the forest for what felt like about an hour. Eventually, we spotted several trails of smoke rising in the distant sky. They rose in steady intervals, giving the impression of something man-made.

“…Let’s stop here for now.”

At Master’s signal, everyone halted—wait, what!? He tried to set me down, and I frantically clung to him, shaking my head. Lulu might understand, but Kasai-san is here too! Please, have mercy on me.

“If we just hold hands, it’ll be fine, alright?”

“Uuuuugh…”

For some reason, he patted my head to calm me down. Why is this playing out like he’s soothing a clingy little girl? Let’s be clear: he’s the one at fault here. If he wants space, he should just take this thing off already.

“…Alright, come here for a second.”

“Huh? Shuya-sama?”

Maybe my pleading stare finally got through, because Master pushed gently on my shoulder, leading me deeper into the forest.

“I’m just gonna go do a little ‘convincing.’ I’ll be right back.”

“Okay… Please don’t take too long.”

“Man, you really love this, huh…”

That’s a very suspicious expression from Lulu. I don’t like it, but it’s not my reputation on the line—it’s Master’s. As long as we return quickly, I’m in the clear. Honestly, I’m thrilled to finally be getting freed from this thing.

Master stopped just a short distance away.

“Lean against that tree. Don’t move.”

“…Okay.”

I did as instructed, resting my back against the tree. It seems he didn’t plan to do anything after all, because he simply reached over and touched the collar around my neck, removing it. No matter what I did, I couldn’t get it off myself—but of course the magic item responds instantly to him. How unfair.

“I’ll take this one off too.”

“Okaaay…”

Then, Master slowly lifted my skirt. If someone saw us like this, I’d want to die. Although… at this point, maybe it’s too late for shame.

Either way, I just want this over with as quickly as possible…

---

“You stupid Master.”

“…I said I’m sorry.”

After a few grueling minutes of having the chastity belt removed—taking way longer than it should’ve, which I know he did on purpose—we finally returned. Lulu greeted us with a sharp, suspicious glare.

“That was quick.”

“If you’ve got complaints, direct them at Master.”

This wasn’t my choice, no matter how accusatory those eyes are.

I’m down before the exploration’s even started. Not that I was ever a real asset in combat, but still.

He could’ve just taken it off at home and left me behind. Would’ve saved everyone the trouble.

“Seriously, why didn’t you just take it off back at the house?”

When I voiced that thought, Master blinked for a moment, then awkwardly turned away. What the hell kind of reaction is that?

“…I realized it after I brought you along.”

“Grrrr…”

…Yeah, I think I’d be justified in biting him for that. I bared my teeth and growled in warning.

“If you bite me, I’ll take you back and put it back on.”

“Kyuuu…”

Wait, I’ve rethought things. Violence is wrong. Ha ha ha. Let’s all calm down.

“Well then. Before we head back… who’s over there?”

“Wha!?”

Suddenly, Master glared at a nearby bush and pulled me tightly into his arms. I looked in the same direction and, sure enough, the leaves were shifting slightly. There's no wind right now—so something has to be in there.

“If you won’t come out, I’ll attack.”

A fireball flickered into life in Master’s hand. At his words, the bush trembled as if startled. Then, without much delay, a shadow burst out.

“W-Wait! Please wait!”

The figure turned out to be a blonde, cat-eared girl with both hands raised in a desperate “I mean no harm!” gesture—and a face flushed bright red. Wait… why is she blushing?

…Don’t tell me she saw us?

---

◇◆ ADVENTURE RESULT ◆◇

【EXP】
— Experience gained over time —
◆【Sora Lv.78】 +25
◆【Lulu Lv.31】 +5
◆【Yuria Lv.29】 +5

◇――
＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝
Sora Lv.78 [787] → Lv.81 [812]
Lulu Lv.31 [312] → [317]
Yuria Lv.29 [294] → [299]

【RECORD】
[MAX COMBO] >> 34
[MAX BATTLE] >> 34

【PARTY-1 (Main)】
[Shuya] [Lv.77] HP 1432/1432 MP 2530/2530 [Normal]
[Sora] [Lv.78] HP 25/60 MP 733/733 [Fatigued]
[Lulu] [Lv.30] HP 735/735 MP 36/36 [Normal]
[Yuria] [Lv.28] HP 1540/1540 MP 88/88 [Normal]

【PARTY-2 (Sub)】
[Fere] [Lv.25] HP 252/252 MP 830/830 [Normal]

【PARTY-3 (Sub)】
[Makoto] [Lv.40] HP 1450/1450 MP 128/128 [Normal]
＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝

【Comment】
"Don’t you think we’ve got more than enough girls already?"