Considering the fact that it is the coast and that it is 255km from Asiasparn, we know that this is the southeast coast.
　If that's the case, going north along the coast should lead us to the port town of Koola.
　It is about a day's ride by horse from Coola to Pejo. In other words, it's a five-day walk from here to Coola.

'You're in the know,'

　When I told her of my considerations, Yukari said that with a blank expression. It doesn't seem like she really thinks so. Perhaps I'm suspicious.

'Don't believe me?'
No, I'm not saying that.
Then why are you so cold?
I was born that way.
............

　No. I've decided to change course.

　I'm going to stir things up and bring out Yukari's emotions - this is the only way.
　Otherwise, I feel like I'm talking to an inorganic substance and I'm going to go crazy.

Yukari. If you're so suspicious, come up with some counter-proposal.
'I am my master's slave. I do not question it.
Do you know where you are?
No, I don't know.
How would you get back to Pehoe?
I think the master's idea is the best.
Yeah, I see. So why did you doubt it?
I don't doubt that, sir.
Don't lie.
I'm not lying, sir.
............

　This guy ...... No, chill out.
　In this kind of case, the standard is to attack the kryptonite and break it down.

'...... you've been like that since we met. You're a shell of a man.
Yeah.
You're hiding your past. You don't want me to know that much?
Everyone has a thing or two in their past that they don't want you to know.
Even if it's between a master and a slave?
Of course.
So you're just going to keep acting like that for the rest of your life and never reveal your past?
Yeah, ......, ......!

　I got it!　This guy is such a rag!

Hmm?　You just admitted that you're acting now, right?
'No.' I just nodded at the flurry of words.
'Oh, well~?　You're talking a little fast, aren't you upset?
...... no such thing.
Hmm, huh?　Oh, the corners of your mouth are twitching, huh?
............

　It's working, it's working.
　Yukari's emotions are coming out more and more. It's time to get to the point.

...... It's useless to talk about it anyway. So let's just keep it quiet. Do you think you can just assume that and keep me in line forever?
............
As a rule of thumb, ......, it'll probably be easier if you just reveal it.

　I'm starting to feel like a detective in an interrogation.

　As a matter of fact, I already have a pretty good idea of what I'm talking about. Last night, I found out after doing some research. The executed duchess Lucia Aisin-- I'd heard that name before.

"You'll get your shit together. Get comfortable. There's no point in hiding it.
I am ......!
Hmm?
I'm hiding it for whoever it is: ......!

　Oh. And then what?

You can send me and ...... Lady Lucia's kindness to ......!

　Kindness. Is it kindness for her to keep quiet and not get involved? Okay.

"That's not kindness. It's complacency.
............!

　When I said that, Yukari turned her back to me with a pissed off look on her face and walked on ahead of me.

　The strategy was a success. I was able to expose her emotions.
　I may have gone a little overboard, but if I didn't do this, there was no way to break down Yukari's protective walls, so I had no choice.

　Well, so it's time for the sun to set. What to do about the camp: .......



　　* * * *



　A vile man. I thought so.

　He doesn't deserve the Lord - a frivolous man who tries to get attention by talking about such an impossible and stupid dream - to be number one in the world.

　His true nature was soon revealed.
　He let all the excellent magic archer women and the still small beastly girls fight in front of him, while he didn't move behind them. For a man to go through a dungeon like that to be the 'best in the world' was nothing short of pathetic, wasn't it?

　The glimpses of his archery skills against the boss were certainly first-rate. Then why didn't he demonstrate his skills on the road?　He's just trying to make himself safe and make it even easier. That makes this man seem even more disgusting to me.

　Random transference?　255 kilometers away?　Seven days to Pehoe?　How do I know that? It had to be a lie.

　This man probably used some dirty trick to spend time alone with me. The purpose of buying me is not a blacksmith or anything like that, but a s*x slave after all. This is how he intends to bring me out of sight and rape me so that I don't become a bad public figure.

　Sadly, I can't resist.
　I'm going to be the first person to have the opportunity to have a look at this man ...... If the time comes, I'll be able to take my own life--

　--I thought that far, and then I stopped myself.

　This life given to me by Lady Lucia, I cannot throw it away so easily.
　That's right. How could I have forgotten about it? My life was given to me by Lady Lucia.
　I must resist at all costs.

　...... This second guy. He's been persistent in prying into my past. I don't know what you want, but my silence is no longer for you. I'm keeping it from you so that you don't have to deal with two of your own.

　And you call that self-aggrandizement?　It's repugnant.

　I can't let this man have an opening.

　I steeled myself and hurried ahead.



　The first day was over and the second morning came.

　He didn't touch me.
　On the contrary, he seemed to have stayed up all night to take charge of the encampment. I guess he was determined to catch me off guard in that way.

　I hadn't been able to sleep much because of the vigilance I had kept up all night. If this continues, it will eventually reach its limit. I must do something about it, but I have no means. I am a slave. I can't even escape. I don't know what to do.

"Hey, just give up already. Tell them everything.

　As I was walking around with that in mind, he started to pry again.

'I'm persistent,'

　I'm irritated and tend to respond in a combative manner.

'Don't you trust me that much?'
Yes, very much.
So how can I trust you?
...... Yes, you can trust me if you die there right now.

　A streak emerges on his forehead. Apparently, he was angry.

'I'm gonna tell you, Yukari,'
What is it, Master?　Do you intend to do violence to your slaves?
Shut up!　You no lunch!
Nah!

　How vile!

That would be a breach of contract.
'The contract said enough food. Two meals a day is well enough!　That's what I think!　Hahaha!

　We're going to be walking for dozens of miles now, and this guy is ......!

What's up?　I won't do it if you don't apologize?
d*mn it ......!

　Humiliation!　If I have to apologize to this man, I will ...... but .......

'...... is a joke.'

　Then he puffed out a laugh and said that. To me it looked like a ridiculous smile and I couldn't resist.

'I don't want it,'
Huh?
You won't be needing lunch.
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. What's going to happen to you?
I said it wasn't necessary. No, thank you.
Wait, wait!　I'm sorry!　Just eat it!
No!

　Hurrying ahead.

　A cold head.

　I've become quite emotional.

　But I can't pull back now.

　.............

　What the hell did I want to do ......?



　The morning of the third day.

　The night was a battle against sleepiness.

　I feel dizzy on my ...... feet.

　Two all-nighters, a full day of travel, no lunch yesterday, and only a little dinner.
　No matter how much of an assassin I am, I am still a living being. I know I'm getting close to my limit.

　He did not touch me last night. Perhaps he is waiting for the time when I am going to lose consciousness completely. He is a cowardly man.

　Today's road trip is solely a fight, just as it was yesterday.
　We open our mouths and all we do is fight.

　A fight at breakfast.
　Fight over who walks first.
　An argument over lunch.
　An argument over whether to take a break or not.
　A quarrel at dinner.
　They quarrelled at night.

　They had forgotten where the relationship between them was.
　Sometimes I was too sleepy and tired to make a proper decision.
　Anyway, I had to be very careful not to show an opening. The result was a fight.

　However.
　On this night, I finally slept soundly .......



　　* * * *.



　Emotional instability.
　It was obvious.

　There are a number of contradictions in Yukari's words and actions.
　He's incoherent because he's more wary of me than he should be.
　It's getting worse and worse from fatigue.

　I know why this is happening.

　I knew what to expect when I learned the name of the female duke during my investigation the night before I left for Asiasparn. I was convinced of this when I saw her on the first night after transitioning to the coast, wary of a night crawl from me.


　--Yukari has been "brainwashed".

　Perhaps she's been "brainwashed" to be wary of her master.

　The culprit is clear. The culprit is the female duke, Lucia Aisin, who possesses the unique skill of "brainwashing magic". In Mevion, she was known as the "brainwashing hag".

　There was only one way to break the brainwashing spell. "A strong emotional outburst caused by a life-threatening event" is the only way.

　There was a heavy scene in Mevion's storyline where the brainwashing is broken when an NPC who was brainwashed has his girlfriend killed in front of him.
　The brainwashing magic seems to be a unique skill that was prepared for the storyline, but in the real world, it is a different story. What's more, it's more trouble than it's worth.

　You need to bring her emotions to the surface.
　And you have to evoke strong emotions.

　It was not enough to just fight with her.

　How do I do that?

　How could I, how could I: ......

　.............

......--!

　Oh, man, I'm so tired.

　I'm going to the port city of Coorah in two days. I'll just have to hang in there.

　I take out the Anomaly Recovery Potion ++ from my inventory and drink it all at once. Actually, this does help with my sleepiness for a bit. There is a limit, of course.

　Now, what should I do?
　I crossed my arms in front of the fire and spent the night worrying.