After finishing treating nearly 20 men, we were taken to the guest room of the mansion. It seemed that we had been recognized as official guests, and we would spend the night and live here for a while.
That's because Deabolica has requested a week of observation. It's true that he won't be completely cured until the pathogen has been completely expelled from his body, but I don't really need to be by his side. The effects of the abilities granted by [Influencer] will not disappear even if we are far away, so there should be no problem if he returns to the village of Thousand Leaves. However, Deabolica,
It seems that he wants to take advantage of the fact that I have done him a favor this time as a pretext to propose some kind of "business deal" to the count. To buy time and secure the agreement, she plans to use the treatment of syphilis as an excuse.
By the way, after carefully reading the catalog and reviewing the specifications of [Influencer], I discovered that it has no expiration date. In other words, its effect remains active until I consciously cancel it.
The only exception is when I forget that I used [Influencer] on someone. In that case, the effect is automatically canceled. It's just a guess, but it seems that in order to cancel it at will, I must first remember that the person is still under the effect. If I lose sight of that detail, the ability disappears on its own.
At first I thought, "It's impossible to remember after healing more than 300 people!" But apparently, my memory retains at least approximate information, such as "how many people I treated that day." So, if I keep a diary and check it from time to time, it shouldn't be a problem.
However, if I leave [Poison Resistance] activated, I will never be able to get drunk. And if I keep [Disease Resistance], doctors will lose work and get angry, so I plan to remove those effects little by little, at the right time.
In fact, the first thing I did was immediately remove the [Poison Resistance] I had granted to the adventurers. After all, if I ever suffer a serious injury during an adventure, I wouldn't mind so much if a potion didn't work and I ended up dying.
Well, as soon as they took me to the guest room, Deabolica suddenly grabbed me by the neck.
"Bastard! What do you think you're doing...!"
You said, "Don't speak unless it's necessary for the treatment," right? I communicated because it was necessary for the treatment. There's nothing wrong with that. The treatment was a success, and the count was satisfied with the results, right?"
Damn, you're getting more arrogant every day...! I was so afraid you might kill us both!
Besides, you're here to treat them, so you can't handle all the interaction. —Deabolica has no idea about treatments.
Shaking off the hand that had grabbed him by the neck, Deabolica let out a sigh.
It's like when a salesperson goes to sell a medical robot, but the robot handles all the interaction with the customer, leaving the salesperson with nowhere to go.
"Well, I won't interfere with your negotiations, so you can do whatever you want. I have no intention of doing anything other than checking on the patient once a day."
With that, I lay down on the bed.
This guest room was assigned to me alone, while Deabolica and the adventurers will sleep in another room. It's natural for men and women to have separate rooms, but the fact that Deabolica, being a noble, has to share a room with the adventurers shows how little the Count values him... and, to be honest, that makes me laugh a little inside.
Just when I thought he was finally leaving, Deabolica stopped and glanced toward the entrance to the guest room. Then, leaning slowly, he brought his face close to my ear as I lay there.
"Hey... just remember this: never lay a finger on Irene or Ursuna. And, of course, not on the other adventurers either."
"Why?"
"I told the Count that, as a saint, you would remain chaste for the rest of your life."
I see, that's absolutely true. Deabolica just said so.
However, it would be wrong to further damage Deabolica's reputation. He is a nobleman and, after all, the leader of the adventurers. A crappy adventurer like me could destroy him with a single spell, and even if I did, I wouldn't face any serious retribution.
Furthermore, Irene and Ursuna are people with a bright future. They haven't achieved anything yet. They are promising and unfinished adventurers who will take a leap forward from now on. What would happen if a love affair resulted in pregnancy?
I sat up and turned to look at Deabolica, who had a serious expression on his face. Deabolica continued speaking while looking me in the eye.
"They will have to live while still immature and bear the burden of raising children. Do you think they will be able to earn money and take care of a child at the same time? Not to mention that they work in something as dangerous as fighting monsters. If they are not careful, both the mother and the child could die... or, worse, they could end up abandoning the child in an orphanage. Even if they give in to their temptations now, all that awaits them is a sad ending."
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"Surely..."
Most mothers end up losing their lives when facing a monster. And when pregnancy comes... their fate is sealed along with that of their own offspring. Oh, two lives extinguished with a single blow, two birds with one stone. Even so, most of the children I saw were being carried only by their fathers, and at those moments I couldn't help but think that perhaps... the mother had gone out hunting, or perhaps she would never return.
This world is not an easy one. It is woven with pain and deprivation: food shortages, the unbridgeable gap between rich and poor, the relentless cold, the constant threat of monsters, poor hygiene, plagues that ravage without mercy... and even the humiliation of men being treated as objects of rape. Here, a single misstep is enough to lose everything, for death to catch up with you without warning.
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As a master of the guild, I must protect adventurers from unfortunate fates. That is why I am giving you these warnings. Do you understand?
"Yes, I understand."
I thought Deabolica was a cunning, evil, proud, and completely useless woman who took advantage of the confusion to dress people up in sexy costumes, but it turns out she had that side to her as well.
"Good."
As she said this, Deabolica's cheeks relaxed slightly, and it seemed to me that she certainly had a sense of vision and responsibility as a guild master.
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The Count invited me to dinner, but I decided to decline, thinking that it would only make him uncomfortable if a disrespectful and ill-mannered person were present.
Exactly, Eugene. You're absolutely right! The manners at the table of the Vrishav aristocracy are to eat in complete silence. They say that making noise is rude. You can't make noise with your fork or knife, you can't slurp your soup, and it's completely unacceptable to even comment on the taste! Apparently, this became etiquette after strict etiquette became popular, but there's no point in eating together if this is going to be the rule. That's why Protestantism doesn't work. Dinner should be like a party; a lively and fun meal is best. Don't you think?
Ursuna poured the wine into a glass with her hand and drank it in one big gulp, smiling cheerfully.
"You seem pretty drunk, Ursuna."
"Huh? I'm not drunk. This is just water. If I want to get drunk, bring me ten glasses of pure dragon fire whiskey."
We were in the courtyard of the Count's mansion, Ursuna and I were sitting in chairs drinking alcohol.
While killing time in the guest room, Ursuna approached me with a nice bottle of wine in her hand, no idea where she got it from, and asked if I wanted to have a drink and enjoy the moon.
I know Diabolica just told you not to mess with Ursuna, but I was bored anyway. There was nothing to do. There was a bookcase in my room, but I can't read. Well, I guess it's okay to drink and chat.
After all, if you're born human, you want to eat well and drink a lot of alcohol. What's the point of life if you have to restrain yourself? You'd want good food too, right, Eugene?
"That's true."
That's right! Eugene understands what I'm saying. Everyone in this country is Protestant, so I don't fit in. But Eugene is amazing! He understands how I feel!
Talking to Ursuna is fun. He's rough and has a witty personality, but I feel like he's a good friend. When we talk, he reminds me of my friends from my original world. We talk nonsense and tell silly stories, and it's as if my friend Malose has turned into a beautiful girl. If you just listen to what he says, he's definitely a man from my original world.
But... I wish you would stop talking so openly about Protestantism in the courtyard, even if no one else could hear you. After all, I'm supposed to be a Protestant saint now. Don't be so reckless as to mention things you disagree with. I've begun to understand, even if only a little, how others perceive me.
Eugene is a charming guy. Talking to him is like talking to a woman. Unlike when I deal with other men, I don't feel the need to measure every word or tread carefully. With him... I can really open up.
I was shocked inside, but thanks to my [Mental Resistance], my agitation shouldn't show on my face.
"Yes, yes."
I tilted my glass and poured the wine into my mouth.
It's pretty good. The food in this world isn't as tasty as what I used to eat in my previous life, probably because there hasn't been much progress in farming, but I think the wine and whiskey are better than they were back then. Even though we're in the Middle Ages, it's probably because the flavor is authentic.
"Huh? So you don't consider me a companion, do you?"
"No, that's not true. I also consider Ursuna a good drinking companion."
Apart from teasing me from time to time by showing me her breasts.
When I let go, Ursuna suddenly grabbed my wrist and brought her face close to mine.
"You mean it."
"...Ursuna?"
Ursuna's serious face, with no trace of drunkenness, was so close that our noses were almost touching.
Her soft blonde hair gently caressed my cheek.
"I want you, Eugene."
"You're teasing me like that again."
"Seriously. I like you."
Oh, no. I was just told not to get involved in this.
"Ha," I exhaled exaggeratedly.
Then let me ask you, what do you like about me?
If she told me it was because I have a sexy body, or because my black hair is rare, or because it can cure diseases,
Then Ursna said:
It's your personality. You don't change your attitude towards anyone and you stand firm in your words, which is really inspiring, as well as having great conviction.
I see...
"Does that mean I can't read the atmosphere...?"
It's an obvious flaw. His sense of distance is affected by [Mental Resistance]. What's so charming about that?
Ursuna shook her head firmly, as if she didn't accept that idea.
"No, that's not true. It's not that you can't read... it's that you don't give up. Not even in front of a nobleman."
"Eh...?"
"Today I saw your entire exchange with the Count, from beginning to end. No matter how much he tried to intimidate you, you stood your ground."
"...
"And in the end... you even hit him on the head. That... was incredibly satisfying."
"...How did you manage to see that?"
The only people supposed to be there were the Count, me, and Deabolica.
Ursuna then closed one eye and pointed upward with her index finger.
Noble mansions always have secret passageways. If you're clever, you can even sneak into the attic.
"I see."
Ursuna slowly approached and took my wrist firmly.
Since I was a child, I had always seen injustice and corruption in the world. Adults bowed down to the strongest and flattered those who had even more power. Not only in my village, but throughout the island, it was the same. I knew that was how life worked, but I still found it shameful and cruel.
"But you... you're different, Eugene," Ursuna whispered. "You're the only good person in this unjust world. You stay true to yourself no matter who you're with, and that's what makes you truly special."
In reality, I would also like to live peacefully, flattering the powerful in order to get ahead. But my [Mental Resistance] makes it difficult for me to know when and how to do so. Luckily, I'm doing well now, although I know that this way of life can shorten my life.
Ursuna gently stroked my hair and murmured.
"There's no one like you. I'll never get bored of you. You're a very interesting guy..."
Huh? Does that mean they treat me like an "interesting woman"?
I'm just a simple man who was transported to another world and joined the adventurers' guild. And besides, I have no self-confidence, as everyone can see!
Then, suddenly, the prettiest and most arrogant girl in the guild approached me. How could someone so impressive notice such an ordinary guy with no outstanding qualities?
This reminded me of a romantic comedy manga for girls that I read with my younger sister. You'd think that a self-centered guy would end up crushing the protagonist and leaving her behind, but, oddly enough, he fell madly in love with her and did everything he could to win her over. Is that what they call a "worshipper"? Well, in manga for girls, the heroine seems simple, but she's actually very beautiful. You're the only one who really seems as simple as she appears.
Let me explain!
In the aesthetic sense of this world, Yuuji is an exotic Asian with an incredibly sexy body! You're the only one who thinks he's a normal guy!
Hmm. I'll try to see if Ursuna is the affectionate type.
I tilted my head slightly and smiled slightly.
I'm so possessive and selfish, you know? I can't stand the idea of you sleeping with another man. No matter who you've slept with, can you promise me that you'll only sleep with me from now on?
Gulp... I heard Ursuna clear his throat.
What's with that reaction? Did it hurt so much that you couldn't date other guys anymore?
Let me explain!
The young saint he believed to be pure and innocent suddenly smiled and said, "I'm very possessive and selfish. From now on, you'll be at my mercy for the rest of your life, but is that okay with you?" Her unexpected villainous side made the masochist in him throb!
"Yes, it's fine. From now on, I won't sleep with any other man but you. My life belongs to you. So..."
If you just look at the words, it seems like something out of a BL novel.
If I thought something so inappropriate...
Suddenly Ursuna pulled me toward her and captured my lips.
The tip of her tongue passionately tapped my lips, and she hugged me tightly and powerfully.
When she finally parted her lips, the silver thread connecting the tip of her tongue glistened in the moonlight.
"Be my man, Eugene."
Suddenly, I heard the sound of something breaking and turned toward it.
There was Irene, who had dropped the tray along with the wine bottle and glasses.
Eh... What is this situation?
Irene was trembling, her face pale.
The usual convention in shoujo manga is that she would be surprised and run away crying, and then I would chase after her.
"Stay away from Euge, Ursuna."
Irene's eyes filled with murderous intent like never before, and she exclaimed in a deep voice.
Ah, that's right. This is a world where chastity is turned upside down.