Chapter 37: The Wicked Clown

Apparently, a fairy-like girl with red hair named Minia was going to show us around.

However, there were apparently a few procedures we had to go through before entering the city, so we were told to wait a little.

Machine City Mikania. This place was truly incredible. I had never imagined there could be a city like this.

Everyone else was surprised, too. Pahal, who came from the Great Forest, seemed to have seen something like this before, so she was a little less astonished than the rest of us.

Come to think of it, Tierra seemed a little less surprised, too.

Maybe she'd stopped here during her travels, or perhaps she was simply calm because she had so much experience.

As expected, Tierra really was amazing. It wasn't just her everyday housekeeping skills, either. She was an incredibly, incredibly dependable person. I could understand why Rene called her "Mama."

Of course, I wouldn't go so far as to call a woman whose age probably wasn't all that different from mine "Mother."

And so, while we waited for Minia to return, still speechless at the overwhelming sight of Mikania...

"Oh my, oh my, oh my, oh my? And who might you all be? Could it be, could it be...?"

Some strange person came over. Their entire body was covered in vivid colors, and their face was painted with bright, colorful makeup. Was someone dressed like that called a "clown"? I couldn't quite remember, but I had a feeling that was the word.

"Well, well! It's been a long time, hasn't it, little Rene!"

"...Huh?"

The person walked straight toward Rene, took her left hand, and began enthusiastically pumping it up and down. They looked absolutely delighted.

Judging from what they said, perhaps they'd met Rene before she lost her memories?

"Um, I..."

"I'm sorry, but she's lost her memories. If you approach her too forcefully, she'll get frightened. Could you please give her some space?"

Just as I was starting to think that this person was being a little too overenthusiastic and that I should intervene, Tierra stepped in.

Once again, I'd ended up relying on her. I couldn't keep letting Rene and Tierra protect me all the time. I had to become someone who could protect them, too.

...But why was that? Tierra's words and demeanor had become extremely stern. This didn't feel like she'd merely offered a mild warning.

"My goodness, my goodness! Amnesia! Well, well, how terribly rude of me! I am the one and only 'King Circus'! I remembered that you once attended one of my performances, so I couldn't help myself! My sincerest apologies!"

"I'm sorry I don't remember."

"No, no! You have absolutely nothing to apologize for! ...But, while we're on the subject!"

At that point, Circus suddenly moved closer to Tierra...?

"You are an extraordinarily, extraordinarily mysterious woman. You possess a mystical charm that transcends humanity."

Before I knew it, he'd placed a hand beneath Tierra's chin and gently lifted it.

What the hell was he doing?!

"No funny business with Mama."

『Warning. Step away from Tierra.』

"Such conduct cannot be overlooked."

"Hey, hey. Impatient men aren't popular with the ladies."

"Nya. For once, I agree with Padron, nya."

"Yeah, no~! That's definitely crossing the line!"

"I suggest you conduct yourself like a gentleman."

In an instant, everyone sprang into action.

They separated Tierra from Circus and positioned themselves protectively around her.

...Moments like this really brought home how pathetic I was.

No matter what, I was physically slower than everyone else. I could deal with magical beasts and the like, but when it came to attacking another person, I always hesitated.

I had to grow stronger. Much, much stronger. Otherwise, one day, I might find myself unable to protect someone precious to me.

"Oh my, oh my, oh my, oh my! Goodness, goodness, I am terribly sorry! To approach a woman so suddenly is an unforgivable failure of gentlemanly conduct! I simply found your charm so utterly extraordinary that I couldn't help myself! So your name is Tierra! My sincerest apologies!"

"N-no, it's..."

Things were a little awkward afterward, but...

Circus apologized profusely, bowing his head again and again, and Tierra accepted his apology, so the matter was more or less settled.

As it turned out, Circus also had business inside Machine City, so we decided to travel together for part of the way and ask him about Rene's past.

Around that time, Minia returned, too, and we were finally able to enter Machine City Mikania.

...I certainly hadn't expected them to lift Tetoma and all of us into the air before bringing us inside.

How did gravity even work here?

"...Don't do anything unnecessary, huh?"

In that brief moment, the clown... one of the subordinates of the Wicked King... had sent thoughts directly into my mind. Words and images had passed through the point where we'd touched.

Honestly, this might have been the first time I'd ever felt such pure, unadulterated terror.

This was the kind of world where my life had been in danger countless times. If anything, those close calls seemed to have increased ever since I joined up with Kizuna.

But this was different.

It wasn't simply the fear of death, or anything of that sort. It was nothing so mild.

It was an evil so vile that death itself would be a form of salvation. A way of being so thoroughly wicked that even in "Chaos"—a world where all manner of worlds, cultures, values, and races came together—it was still described as "cruel."

I was able to endure it because Earth-sama was inside me. The spirits, on the other hand, were bawling their eyes out. Though, honestly, I couldn't blame them.

This wasn't the kind of mentality that should be depicted in a free-to-play game rated for all ages. The game itself had toned down the portrayal, but I vaguely remembered looking at the official setting materials and realizing just how completely deranged this guy was.

Here, without the filters of wholesome content and entertainment, the sheer horror of it was on a whole other level.

Still, well...

It's not like being told not to do something automatically makes me want to do it...

But sorry, I don't have the luxury of holding back right now. I have to take advantage of every opportunity, no matter how small, to stand out. I can't afford to fade into the background.

And so...

"Hey, Siscon. That's the guy."

"...Tierra, did you say something?"

"No. Just talking to myself. Don't worry about it."

"...Just don't push yourself too hard, okay?"

"I'll be fine. Thank you, Kizuna."

Now then... let's see what this changes.

Hopefully, I'll get more screen time out of it.