Chapter 16

My vision is hazy. Blurred—I can’t see clearly ahead. My voice won’t come out, and my body won’t move properly.

……I let my guard down. The enemy archer wasn’t just targeting Rex. In my haste to shield that man, I neglected to watch for attacks aimed at me.

At that moment, my body was hoisted up by demons that appeared out of nowhere. None of my allies noticed. Just like that, I was dragged through a small burrow, down a hidden passageway, and neatly abducted.

And once again, I found myself imprisoned by them—

---

"Hiiii there, how’re you feeling?"

The grating voice rouses me from unconsciousness.

It’s a cold, mechanical voice, utterly devoid of human warmth.

This place seems to be a dimly lit room. I struggle slightly, but I can’t move. As expected, I’m bound.

"Hmm, not even going to greet me back?"

"……"

Nyu— In the pitch-black room, the face of a pale-skinned woman materializes.

Sunken cheeks, dry and brittle hair, lifeless, dilated pupils. There’s no mistaking that face.

Jaliba, the Archmage of Sorcery. The one who reduced me to this state, the commander of the demon army in the cave where I died, the root of all evil.

"Silence? How dull. Do you have any idea how much effort it took to recapture you? The least you could do is humor me."

"……"

"Now, now, no need to bare your fangs like that. I’m not here to harm you."

Jaliba’s smirk never fades as she continues, thoroughly amused.

……But her eyes aren’t laughing at all. She’s deliberately cloaking herself in a cheerful demeanor, but beneath it, I can almost see the churn of twisted emotions. Utterly unsettling.

"The success of my experiment on you is tantamount to fulfilling my life’s work. I have no intention of harming you. Cooperate just a little, and I’ll release you in no time."

"……Turn me back to normal."

"Back to normal? Ah, yes, it must be inconvenient inhabiting another’s body. Very well, I’ll restore you… So, will you comply?"

The zombie woman Jaliba begins her wheedling spiel. Sure, if she actually restored me, that’d be a dream come true.

────But.

"Turning me back is just another part of your experiments, isn’t it? And even if you did, I’d just be your puppet. I’m not falling for it."

"Kukuku, sharp as ever. But you have no choice. What can you possibly do in your current state, even if you resist? If you obey, you might actually be freed. …You have to obey."

"How amusing. Go to hell."

Ptuh. I spit at her. No matter what Jaliba says, I have no intention of yielding.

"Just answer a few questions. That’s all it takes for me to restore you and set you free. Still refusing?"

"Ahahahaha! I see now. You can brainwash humans, but you can’t extract information directly. Good to know!"
"……"

"Jaliba, was it? You can’t pull intel from corpses, so you need me sane, right? My answer’s the same: Go to hell."

"…Tch. This is why ignorant humans are so tiresome."

My retort clearly struck a nerve. Her expression twists before she sighs and turns her back on me.

"There’s no reasoning with you as you are. By all means, writhe in agony alone in the dark."

"Bitter much? Cry some more, why don’tcha?"

"This room is only accessible from my lab. You’ll never escape this time."

With a dull creak, a sliver of light seeps in as a small door opens.

Jaliba stands at the exit, glaring down at me with scorn.

"Struggle all you like. When your spirit finally breaks, I’ll return."

And with those parting words—

---

……After the vile zombie left,

I secretly let out a sigh of relief. Thankfully, I’m neither brainwashed nor mutilated—just restrained.

If I’d infiltrated this cave alone, I wouldn’t be so calm. But I came here as part of a party. Which means—

"Now all I’ve gotta do is wait for Rex to show up."

No doubt he’ll smash through everything to rescue me. I don’t know how strong Jaliba is, but I can’t imagine Rex losing. So I’ll just kick back and wait.

Even if they spring some magic ambush—which isn’t my forte—Claris is backing him up. That monster of a rear guard should handle it. Rumor has it she’s "Rex-tier" as a mage.

Hell, if even they can’t beat Jaliba, humanity never stood a chance. If the gap were that vast, the demons wouldn’t be skulking around in hideouts—they’d be marching on us openly. So for now, Rex’s crew is definitely stronger.

Being captured is pathetic, but survival is all that matters. This time, at least, I’m still alive. ……Damn. Teaming up with him really does make me think, "He’ll bail me out."

But I can’t go solo again, not now. Today’s blunder proves he’s still not at his best. I’ll reflect on this—try not to lean on Rex too much.

After mocking my own helplessness, I decide to catch some Z’s, snoring loudly.

All a captured man can do is conserve his strength.

---

"Wake up."

"...Mmph... mnngh..."

"Interrogation time. Open your eyes."

"...How's that, Rex? This... is my true power... zzz..."

"Enough of this!!"

THWACK. A dull pain shoots through my skull as the pathetic, tear-streaked image of a defeated Rex fades from my mind.

...Ugh. Just when I thought I’d finally won, it was just a dream.

"Huh? Morning already?"

"How relaxed of you. Given up on escaping, have we?"

"Ah, right. I’m still captured. Guess I’ll sleep a bit more."

"You’re... remarkably unfazed."

Jaliba’s voice drips with exasperation. But what else am I supposed to do? I already tried escaping once—no way they’d slack on security now. Another attempt would be hopeless.

So, I’ll wait for Rex like a good boy. Smarter play.

"Let’s try again. Answer if you feel like it. How much do you remember from before your death?"

"Huh? ...Uh, everything?"

"Oh? Next question: Do you feel mentally slower compared to before you died?"

"So that’s the kind of crap you wanted to ask yesterday? ...Wait, you’re not after intel. This is just post-experiment data collection. Yeah, no. Pleading the fifth."

"Hmm. Cognitive speed seems intact."

...Shit. I basically answered.

"Now, a quick test. If three people each give you two apples, how many do you have?"

"Pfft."

"What? Can’t solve something this simple? Are you actually stupid?"

"The hell?! Of course I know! It’s eight—stop mocking me!"

"I see... Now, is this the surgery’s side effect, or were you always this dumb? ...Yeah, definitely the latter."

Dammit! I took the bait!

"That’s it! No more answers! I mean it!"

"Performance seems consistent with pre-death metrics. Good, good. That’s all the questions I needed."

"Wait, what?"

Interrogation time’s over? Did I just... help her?

"Verification’s done, and I finished the physical exams while you were snoring. Now—describe your original body."

"Why the hell would I?! Not a chance!"

"...Suit yourself. But you do want it back, yes? If not, I’ll release you as-is."

"...Huh?"

Wait. Did she just say—

"Y-You’ll let me go?"

"Obviously. Budget’s approved, tests are done, you’re obsolete. Consider restoration a... courtesy. Though I will be collecting data from the procedure."

"...Seriously?"

This... this is too good to be true.

It could be a trap... but why bother? She could’ve forcibly modified me anytime.

"Wait, if I’d just stayed put last time I was captured... would you have released me then too?"

"No, we’d have brainwashed you. But this time, circumstances align. Lucky you wandered into my main lab."

Jaliba’s blue-tinged lips twist into a thin smile.

Sketchy... but she doesn’t feel like she’s lying. Am I... really getting my body back?! My handsome, muscle-packed, well-endowed warrior frame?!

"So? Describe your original form."

"Uh, y’know. Chiseled jaw, heroic aura, huge—ahem—impressive equipment. Peak masculinity."

"...Did we even have a corpse like that...?"

"I’ll... look into it. Wait here." With that, Jaliba slips out silently.

...Is this actually happening? Talk about a happy accident. Hey Rex, take your time with the rescue!

Once I’m back in my old body, I’ll fake Flacce’s death and sneak into Rex’s party like nothing happened. It’s not like he’d grieve that hard over some guy he knew for a few days.

Bless this volcanic city. Bless my capture. Bless you, Archmage Jaliba. Long live imprisonment...!

---

"Executioner Excruiar... What is the meaning of this? This is my domain."

"...You know my duty, Jaliba. Eliminating traitors."

...Hm? An unfamiliar man's voice echoes from beyond the door—

"GUAAAAAAH!!"

A deafening crash follows. Something smashes through the door and slams into the wall.

Jaliba. The very same Jaliba who just left is now hurtling back into my prison cell.

"You—! What is this?! I’ve betrayed no one—!"

"Killing traitors after they betray you is amateur work. A first-class executioner eliminates them before they get the chance."

What the hell? The supposed leader of this base is eating dirt.

Another demon steps in after Jaliba—probably another of the Demon King’s forces. So why is Jaliba the one getting wrecked? Infighting?

"You—! GAOU, YOU BASTARD—!"

"A shame it’s come to this, Archmage."

...Look, I’m all for internal strife, but can you guys wait a damn day? I’ve got a surgery appointment with Professor Jaliba here.

"You die here today, Jaliba. Well, ‘die’ again, technically."

"Ridiculous! You’d execute me without evidence, on a whim?!"

Meanwhile, as I’m mentally drafting my complaint letter, Jaliba—now pinned to the floor and gasping—glares up at the intruder with raw desperation.

That thing... a wolf? A towering, bipedal wolf-like demon blocks the exit like a vengeful statue.

"The Demon King saw through your schemes long ago."

"Lies! You have no proof—!"

Whatever’s happening, it’s clear: Jaliba’s in deep trouble. My gut says nothing good follows this.