When I woke up, the first thing I felt was the feel of a stone against my cheek.

(Ugh...?)

　Awakening consciousness.

　I'm aware that I'm lying face down on the cold, hard stone floor - and at the same time, I'm trying to wake my body up in a hurry, remembering the events that took place just before I lost consciousness.

　Ta-rang.

(!)

　There was a dull metallic sound and my limbs caught on something.

　I lost my balance and hit the floor from my face to the floor.
　Ouch.........

　But thanks to that, I woke up fully awake.

　Looking around, I realized that we were trapped in a small stone room.

　Stone walls on three sides and a cage on the other.

　Apparently, it was a prison.

　On the other side, there was a passageway, with torches set up on the wall in front of the jail, and the passageway stretched out to the left and right, and beyond that it disappeared into the darkness.

''What the hell, here...?''

　I whispered to myself.

　And when I looked closely at them, I found metal fetters attached to my hands and feet. There was a 10-centimeter-long chain between the manacles.

　Earlier, I had fallen down with these.

(!!)　(Where's Solstice?!)

　He hurriedly looked around the prison.

　Then I find a purple-haired girl lying in the back of the prison, with a purple hair.

'So, Solstice!'

　Splash!

　I struggled to get closer, hindered by the restraints.

　The limbs of the girl who collapsed with her soft hair spread out on the floor were also shackled, just like me.

(?)

　They just seemed to be made of different materials.

　My fetters are a dull silver color, but Solstice's fetters are pure black metal. Its surface is etched in white with a mysterious pattern.

　No, that doesn't matter right now!

Solstice, Solstice?

　He shakes his little shoulder.

'....Ugh.

　There was an immediate reaction.

(Ah!　.... good.)

　Apparently, she had just passed out.

　In front of me, who was breathing out in relief, she opened her eyelids thinly and looked into the crimson ball-like eyes behind them.

''Is that........Marle?''
Yeah. Are you okay, Solstice?

　As I say this, I brush her hair from her cheek with my fingers.

　Solstice watches my gesture in a daze.

　And the next moment.

　with a bang

'Yes!　We're not the only ones...

　She jumped up abruptly, regaining her memories from before she passed out.

(Wha!?!)

　I'm surprised when he stands up in front of me.

　Gosh!

　And she, like me before, was restricted in her vigorous movements by the fetters on her hands and feet.

What?

　She suddenly lost her balance and fell towards me.

(Eh........wow, hey!)

　thud

　I tried to catch it in a hurry, but it was too sudden to step on it, and we fell together, hitting our backs against the hard stone floor with a thud.
　

　When I realized, it's as if Solstice is pushing me down in this position.

''..........''
..........

　Chest to chest, chest to chest, the astonished young beauty is so close to the thing.

　Her thin, soft, purple hair covered our faces like a beautiful waterfall.

　Thud, thud, thud.

　You can feel that heartbeat.

　We stared at each other for nearly ten seconds, and finally we both came to ourselves at the same time.

'Sorry, I'm sorry, Merle!
Uh-uh.

　The girl hurriedly wakes up her body.

　Her face is bright red to her ears.

　No, I'm sure it might be the same for me.

　Finally, she got down from on top of me, where Solstice finally noticed that the restraints were fitted to her limbs.

''Wait ... what the hell is this!

　It's like taking it out on the ground, hitting the floor with the gun, but of course it doesn't freak out.　

"Tsk.

　She clicked her tongue briefly and then looked around slowly.

'A prison...?'
I guess so.

　I nodded.

　She muttered, "Hmmm," and stood up to get out of the way of the shackles.

　There was no one else in the cell besides the two of us.

　There were no bunks, blankets, or defecation tubs at all.

　There were no windows, so I had no idea where we were, let alone what was going on outside.

　Katja.

　The girl's hand touches the bars of the cage.

"I see. We're trapped in here, aren't we?
Yes.
You've been licked.

　She smiled wryly, "Hmph.

(Hmm?)

　She laughs at me as I become scary.

I'm still the 'People of Demon Blood'.　I could easily bend an iron bar this big.

　Huh?
　Really?

　If you ask me, I remember when I practiced with Solstice with a wooden sword before, I felt as if I had been hit with a log.

　At the very least, I was sure that this girl's power was greater than that of an ordinary adult male without demonic blood.

''Then...?''
Yeah, we can always get out of here.

　Solstice nodded confidently to me as I gave her an expectant look.

(Oh, how dependable!)

　The relief brings a smile to my face.

　Solstice, too, smiles snidely and grips the iron bar in her young hands.

　And then, on the verge of trying to put some strength into it.　

　knuckle dragging

(!)

!

　A light came on at the end of the aisle and a small footstep sounded.

　The footsteps gradually approached, and the lights that seemed to be in the darkness gradually grew louder.

(Someone's coming!)

　Me and Solstice leave the cage in a hurry.　

　The footsteps are multiple people.

　Soon, those figures are standing on the other side of the bars, in the passage in front of our prison.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.


　There were three men who appeared.

　One was an old man wearing a black robe up to his head.

　His hair and long beard had turned white, and behind his sagging eyelids, eyes with a somewhat murky light peeked out from behind his slack eyelids, staring sharply at the two children in the cage - at us.

'Huh?　You're already awake.

　A croaky voice.

　And the other two men respond.

"Yes,
Apparently, yes.

　That one was in his thirties or so, dressed in an adventurer's style.

　His face looked familiar, and it seemed to be two of the guys who attacked us.

　And from the current exchange, I felt that the old man was somehow in a superior position.

'These are the daughters you say you captured earlier?
Yes, sir.
''I see, it seems to be quite vital that the effects of the Coma Pill wear off so quickly. Your qualities as a sacrifice seem to be really high.

　Showing his yellowed teeth, the old man smiles.

(..........sacrifice?)

　I scowled at the disturbing word.

　Solstice showed her competitive nature and glared tightly at the three men in captivity.

'Oh, this one looks feisty too.

　The old man laughed in amusement.

　There was just an unpleasant sound in his voice, the unpleasant sound of one in a position of absolute superiority.

　The two men also laughed.

'But sir?　Are you sure you want to sacrifice them both?
"Nuh-uh?
No, it's not every day you get a product as good as this. I thought it would be a good idea to have a taste for once........

　The short man gives a sneaky smile.

　His bellicose gaze turns toward me.

I'm rather fond of your more mature-looking brown hair.

(...what?　(I-I!?)

Yeah, yeah, yeah, I can't do that while hitting someone who doesn't like it.

　Wiping spilled drool off my arms.

　Jeez, I'm not kidding.

　I didn't realize how uncomfortable this kind of stare from a man could be. It's as uncomfortable as a bug crawling on my skin.

(I mean, I'm a man!)

　It's tempting to say it out loud.

　But

Idiots.

　The old man's low voice muffled the man's gaze.

''What makes you think you risked your life to kidnap the daughters of King's Landing and not the whores of the favelas?　If she's not a live girl, she won't be sacrificed.
Hey, hey, excuse me.

　The man was completely surrendered to the eyes and voice that were even filled with killing intent.

(............)

　This series of kidnapping scandals, in other words, because of that sacrifice?

　I think about it.

"Who are you people?

　Solstice, who was beside him, asked sharply.

　The old man laughed.

'Well, well. Just a seeker of profound knowledge.'
Huh?

　Solstice furrowed her eyebrows dubiously.

　Looking at her, the old man spoke in a quiet tone.

''Daughter, you are the 'People of the Demon Blood', aren't you?'''
!
Your arrogance is rooted in the arrogance of your race. I'm sure you're not the only one who has a problem with this. You'll never be able to unleash the power of these fetters.

　Solstice looked surprised.

　Then he looked at the fetters as if in a panic and put his strength into trying to tear them off.

''This........!

　vong

　At that moment, the white pattern engraved on the black metal fetters emitted a light.

''!　Nah, I'm going to lose strength...!

　Solstice muttered in astonishment.

　The old man laughed happily.

'I told you, didn't I?　Your magical powers are now sealed.

　Solstice still worked hard for a while.

　The three men looked on.

　The old man and the shorter man looked amused, while the other adventurer-like man seemed not particularly interested.

　Eventually, Solstice was able to

Ha, ha, ha, ha.

　He took a rough breath and sat down on the floor.

(.........Solstice)

　I can't speak to Solstice, who looks like she's about to cry in frustration.

'Are you convinced?'

　The old man said as if he were a teacher.

　Solstice grunts, "Ugh," and I glare at the three of them as I step in front of the girl, shielding her from the old man's gaze.

　The three of them stare at us like we're idiots.

　And then.

The ceremony is not over yet. Until then, I suggest you keep your head down.

　The old man left those words out.

They're done. Let's go.
Yes, sir.
"Hey.

　He tossed his black robe and started walking with the two men.

　As it was, all three men left to the back of the passage.

　The presence of presence has disappeared completely.

　I look back at Solstice, who sits down with a nod.

'Are you okay, Solstice?'
"...Merle.

　Solstice was in tears.

'I ... what do I do?'

　I stare at the black fetters stuck to my own limbs and make a sound like I'm about to cry.

　I'm surprised.

　It was rare for Solstice to be this weak.

　As that old man said, being a 'Demon Blood People' to Solstice might have been something that she could feel as a basis for her strength.

　Even if it was an unconscious one.

(But right now Solstice, she might be a little cute...)

　She was always so bullish, and I thought that she was about to cry.

　Oh no.

(This isn't the time.)

　I'm sorry, Solstice.

　I changed my mind and said in the brightest voice I could.

'It's okay.'
''I'll be fine... but if the power of the demon blood is sealed, there's no way to escape. As long as these 'fetters of the seal' are in place...

Yeah. But...

I'm not sure my fetters are the same.
What?

　She is surprised, and I show her the manacles in my hands.

　They are dull, silver fetters.

　Apparently, they are just plain metal.　

　I don't have much magic power itself, and even if I measured my magic power, I wouldn't be considered a 'Demon Blood People'.

　And that's not a mistake.

(But...)

　I have a ... well ... a way out,

　I laughed at her in surprise and told her.

"--Releasing the divine energy.

　gewon

　The faucet in his body is released and his great power is poured into his body.

　Beast ears grow out and a long, thick tail grows.

　Around him, white sparks of 'divine Qi' dissipated into the atmosphere.

　With all his strength, he moved his limbs.

　　

　The fetters and chains that held me in place, as if they were made of thin plastic, are easily torn off and fall to the stone floor with a thud, thud, thud.

''Ah.........''

　To a dumbfounded Solstice.

I'm still a 'godd*mn dog', you know.

　He smiled a little better and said.


　◇ ◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇


　Mekhi, Mississippi. Boom.

　I used my grip as a 'divine dog' to carefully destroy the fetters of Solstice's white skin, taking great care not to leave a scratch on it.

(Thank goodness it broke properly.)

　Even though the magic power could be sealed, as expected, it couldn't be sealed to the divine qi.

　While staring at the manacles that fell at her feet, Solstice brushed her hands around.

''........Thanks.''

　He thanked me with a Buddha's smile.

　Is he unhappy that I saved him?　You should have smiled if you could...

(Well, okay.)

　Now is not the time.

　As it was, I also put my hand on the prison cage and pushed it open from side to side with all my strength.

　Geeky.........

　The bars flex heavily.

(You can already get through it if it's this big.)

　I exhale loudly, and the divine energy that was flowing inside my body converges.

　The beast ears and tail also disappear as white smoke.

　I have about 30 seconds to use them.

　The remaining time is two minutes and thirty seconds.

(Saving, saving........)

　I don't know what's going to happen in the future, so I'll have to use 'God Body Mode' carefully.

　With that, we walked out of the prison.

　Dark corridors lead to the left and right, but the three kidnappers left in the right direction.

Shall we follow them?
Yeah.

　We nodded to each other and made our way towards it.

　There was a torch set up on the wall of the corridor in front of the prison, so we borrowed it and walked along, using it as a light.

　Crap, crap, crap.

　Our footsteps are the only sound.

(................)

　I muttered softly as I walked.


Huh?

　Solstice looked at me in dismay.

'What are you talking about at a time like this, anta?'
No, no...

　It's the first time in my life that I've ever worn girls' clothes, and it's an awesome feeling of discomfort.

　I mean.

Maybe you could have worn pants instead of a skirt if you wanted to dress as a woman?

　It's easier to move around.

Well, that's good to know.
Right?
Well, it's no use.

　Solstice cowered her small shoulders and said matter-of-factly.

''Because it's my sister Irna's hobby.
..........

(I see that's Illtimina's hobby...)

　When he assured me that, I couldn't say anything and I was somewhat distant.

　Patiently, I walked down the aisle.

'But it's been a long time since I've been alone with Merle, hasn't it?

　Solstice, walking in front of him, suddenly muttered.

(Hmm?)

What was it before, the ruins of Dior?
Uh-huh.

　Come to think of it, yes.

　I remember the two of us walking through the passageway in the dark underground ruins at that time as well.

　Luta-san was also there, but she was a little farther back, and the situation was very similar to now, walking side by side with the two of us.

'But I can't even use magic now, so I have to rely on Marle...'
..........
It's a bit pathetic, isn't it?

　Solstice muttering to herself.

　I guess it's my pride as a senior adventurer that makes me feel that way after all?

As for me, I'm just relieved to have Solstice by my side.
Yeah?
Yeah, I'd hate to be alone.
..........

　She glanced back at me.

　I said.

'But with Solstice with me, I think I'm being brave.
Yeah.

　She replied shortly and looked forward.

　But I didn't miss the slightly happy smile on her face just before, I didn't miss it.

　Katun, Katun, Katun.

　And so we walk again for a while.

It's a big place, though.

　Solstice muttered again.

'It's me. At first I thought we were in a building somewhere, but with all these corridors going on, it's not quite the same.'

　As he said this, he touched the wall.

　It's a solid structure of stacked stones.

　The surface of the wall was wet, perhaps because there was too much moisture in the air, and it glowed in the flames of the torches.

　Except for the area where the prison was located, there was always a passage like this.

(Admittedly, that's too long of a distance for a building.)

　I nodded my head.

'Then what is this place?'

　I was going to identify the roots of the criminal organization, but this doesn't give me any idea.　　

'Maybe, but...'

　Solstice prefaced it with.

I believe this is the sewer underneath King's Landing Mulia.
Sewer?

　I ask back.

　The erudite girl nodded and said, "Yeah.

You've got a funny smell on you.
Yes.

　In fact, there's been a fishy smell ever since I stepped out into the passage.

"Besides, the sewers in King's Landing are spread out over a vast area like a maze. As far as the sewers underneath the favela are concerned, they must not have been maintained as far as possible since their construction, and there must be these unused spaces as well.

　As I say this, I look up at the ceiling.

　The stone ceiling, which is at a distance that could be reached if you reach out - if Solstice's words are correct, the favelas on earth are spread out in the space far above this.

(............)

　This is the underground labyrinth of the forgotten capital, just as it should be.

　It is exactly the kind of place that villains would use to hide.

But if that's the case, where is the way out?

　I utter a question.

　The girl genius, as expected, shakes her head from side to side at that.

'I don't know. If she moves around poorly, she might get lost and never get out.
Oh, you scared the shit out of me.
I'm serious.
..........

　He said it clearly and I was speechless.

It's a good idea to remember the distance and the direction we walked, and to leave a marker at the fork in the road. If you do that, you shouldn't lose track of your current location.
Uh-huh.

　That's Solstice.

That's what Solstice is all about.
Yeah?

　'Solstice, you look a little happy.

'Hmph, you can respect me, Marl?

　Huh?

(I haven't heard that line in a long time.)

　I laughed and replied, "Yeah, I respect you," for the first time in a long time, too.

　She laughed happily too, forgetting about this situation.

　She laughed for a while, then returned to a serious expression and looked around.

''But as expected, we can't even use luminescent signal bullets in a basement like this.
Yeah, I guess so.

　I nodded.

　In fact, I had a luminescent signal bullet hidden in the hair of the wig I was wearing, just in case I was searched for my belongings.

　But there's no point in being underground like this.

'How are you guys doing, Illtimina-san and the others?

　They've been following us away, so I'm sure they've confirmed that we've been taken into the sewers of King's Landing.

I don't think they could have followed him into the sewers.

　Solstice replied.

(I knew it...)

　Like this place, the sewer is a long, single track corridor, with too much visibility behind you. If we looked back, our tails would be easily recognizable.

　If they still left an unnoticed distance, then this time it would be impossible to tell which way they went at the fork.

(After all, I would have had to give up following them halfway through.)

　............

　Somehow, the moment I realized that we couldn't be followed, I had a vision of Illtimina-san trying to attack the men who kidnapped us without thinking about it, and Asbel-san desperately trying to stop them.

(Haha....)

　But Mr. Asbell is right.

　We have to find out where they are based in the sewers underneath this vast royal capital, and where the trapped girls are.

　And in order to do that, we had to get them to the end of the line like this, even if it was a little dangerous.

(Yeah, good luck finding them.)

　I blast myself again.

'So, for now, let's do our best to be alone with you, Solstice.
..........

　I smile at the girl who would be my partner.

　But she stares at my face and somehow gets a Buddha's face.

'I'll do my best, even if you don't tell me.　　
Uh-huh.
You know you're so unaware sometimes.

　Huh?
　What are you talking about?

　I was confused, and Solstice let out a deep sigh and said, "Huh.......

That's enough. Let's go ahead.
Oh, wait...

　My sense of smell caught it just as I was about to follow Solstice as she started to walk away.

　Gasp.

　He hurriedly grabbed the girl's arm and pulled her towards him.

''!　Hey.........Merle!
Shh.

　He held the rampaging girl in his arms and held her mouth with his hand.

　For some reason, she was turning red, and I put my mouth to her ear and warned her in a small voice.

'There's a man up ahead.'
!

　Solstice stopped moving.

(Maybe those guys from earlier?)

　There are about five or six people gathered at the end of this corridor. It looks like there's a space that looks like a room.

　I let go of my hand to hold Solstice.

'We don't have to be quiet now that we're here, do we?
Well....

　She nodded.

　Either way, they've already destroyed the fetters and the prison and escaped.
　There's no going back.

　If that's the case, we can already defeat the enemies we've encountered and interrogate them in various ways.

Can we beat them?
Maybe. I'll do my best.

　I took a deep breath and replied.

　If possible, I don't want to use 'God Body Mode' to think about the future, since we don't know the overall number of enemies yet.

(But we don't have any weapons over here right now.)

　It's completely untouched.

　So if I do use it, I have to not hesitate.

　While assuming many things, I'll be prepared.

''.........''
..........

　Me and Solstice looked at each other with a serious expression and then nodded.

(Okay, here we go.)

　And so we proceeded to the back of the corridor, killing any sign of life.