Chapter 7: The Hidden Boss Is Sealed Away
I finally reached the main Lemlaestan forces. The soldiers were huddled up in groups and lighting fires, preparing to camp outside for the night. Active maneuvers would commence tomorrow, making the atmosphere tense and restless. Still, the soldiers seemed a bit relaxed as they enjoyed the delicious smells wafting over from the cooking pots hanging over their fires.
Into this apprehensive yet calm atmosphere I moved slowly but confidently. Some soldiers turned their heads, wondering who I was, but no one came to talk to me. No one would think that their enemy was casually walking through their base camp. Even if the soldiers asked each other who I was, I was long gone before they could ask me anything.
If my black hair had been exposed, I knew that things wouldn’t have gone so smoothly. If a woman with black hair appeared anywhere near this place, she would undoubtedly be Yumiella.
I guess there are some people—cough, Gilbert, cough—who still can’t tell who I am even after seeing my hair.
Eventually, I managed to make my way all the way to the rear of the encampment. Before me was a grand, round tent that felt like it was loudly proclaiming that someone important was inside. Considering how extravagant a tent it was, it was no surprise that two knights stood outside on guard.
If I quietly make them fall asleep and barge inside, I can catch the first prince off guard and... No, no. I’m not supposed to kill their leader. I shouldn’t sneak around like this. Instead, I should properly duke it out in a way I can be proud of... No, that’s wrong too.
I had to lose to the Lemlaestan army, and I had to do so in a convincing manner.
What do I do now...? After I left Gilbert so dramatically, I can’t ask to start over with him.
If I were to just yell, “Oh noes, I have been defeated!” in an unbelievable manner, it would be clear that I was faking it and the plan would fail. But on the other hand, if my acting was too convincing, it would also cause problems. I didn’t want rumors spreading that I had shamefully fled a battle after committing a blunder. That would just encourage the Lemlaestans and make them think I was an easy target.
Ideally, I want them to think, “We were blessed with luck and were able to fend off the incredibly strong opponent that is Yumiella! Still, it would be difficult to keep fighting the Ashbatten army, so let’s go home. Now the first prince’s faction has the advantage in the succession struggles!” or something like that. If I can strike that kind of balance, that would be great.
Just retreating without showing any will to fight was out of the question. They needed to feel like they had accomplished something in their victory.
How annoying... I can’t believe the margrave has been walking a tightrope like this for all this time.
According to Gilbert, all the Ashbatten army usually did was send out soldiers from the fortress on the front lines, have a little squabble, and then retreat. It sounded simple, but surely there were complications during the executions of these maneuvers. The soldiers would have to fight just hard enough to not let their comrades get hurt while still not overpowering the enemy. Even if the enemy just wanted a nominal victory, one that could garner excellent press back home, it was difficult to neatly accomplish such a thing.
On top of that, the Lemlaestan army had only needed to take one look at me before they’d made a run for it the last time round. It might’ve been because I surprised them by suddenly appearing during a very tense moment, but I hadn’t actually done anything.
Surely Ryuu’s cuteness should’ve softened how scary I am. I don’t have my calming mascot with me this time, though. It’s a much more difficult situation.
As these thoughts ran through my mind, I reached the grand tent.
I just walked here without any issue, but would it have been better if they’d caught me before I got here? I guess a threat coming from far away isn’t as nerve-racking as having a threat suddenly appear beside you.
I stared blankly at the tent, and one of the knights guarding the tent made his way towards me.
Oh, right. Just standing here like this makes me super suspicious. I’m sure the prince’s guards will be able to tell that I’m an outsider. They’ll force me to take off my hat, and it’ll immediately be revealed that I’m Yumiella. That’ll throw the Lemlaestan army into chaos, and... I can’t imagine losing properly if that’s how the process begins.
I guess this is the end for me, I thought, and then the knight started speaking.
“What brings you here, miss? This area will become a battleground soon. It’s no place for a lovely lady like yourself.”
“Huh...?”
He seems way too friendly for a knight guarding the prince... What are his intentions?
The knight flashed me a smile that was much too sparkly as he brushed back his unflattering bangs. The other guard, who had stayed put by the tent, had a disappointed look on his rugged face.
“But there’s nothing to worry about,” the knight who had approached me continued. “Because I—the wild dancer of absolute swordsmanship, Emmanuel—am here!”
“Cool...?” I ventured.
Who even are you? What’s with that title? Am I supposed to know who you are from that introduction?
Though I was confused, there was one thing I had learned: this man was most likely useless. These kinds of people often diffused the tension in a situation. If he were a character in a horror movie, he would provide the audience with some relief by making them think, “Oh yeah, he’s definitely going to die first.”
I guess I’ll try to use him to my advantage. I’ll ask the, uh, “mild answer something something, Emma-whatever” to go against me in a round of combat. If he’s the first to go down, it might keep everyone else from panicking too much, just like in a horror movie.
Though my response to him had been lukewarm, he was still giving off the same “I’m so handsome” vibe as earlier.
That’s good, just use that energy of yours to accept my challenge. You seem like the overconfident type, so I’m sure you’ll do it.
“What’s wrong?” the knight asked. “You should smile! Being so expressionless ruins your lovely face.”
“I’d like to challenge you to a battle. Also, my face is just like this.”
“A-A battle...” He recovered quickly. “That must mean you want to go on a date!”
No, it doesn’t.
I took off the white hat and threw it into the air, pulling out my hair, which had still been tucked into my clothes, with a flourish. I brushed my fingers through my long, black hair, hoping that I looked somewhat presentable after having had my hair stuffed down the back of my dress for so long.
“I apologize for not introducing myself. I’m Yumiella Dolkness, the countess of Dolkness. I challenge you to...”
With a pathetic look on his face, Emma-whatever followed the hat with his eyes before returning his gaze to me just as I spoke my name. His next move was quick.
I guess he does have that strange title, so he must be a bit strong, I thought, watching his hands flash through the air.
With precise movements, he pressed his hands against his stomach and assumed a tragic pose.
“My stomach hurts so I’m gonna go home.” He continued to move quickly—he turned his heel and began running away, rushing past the tent that he was meant to be guarding, heading in the direction of Lemlaesta. He quickly became smaller and smaller in the distance.
“Really?” I said, disappointed.
According to horror movie logic, the cocky one who tried to run away, leaving everyone else behind, would certainly be the first to die. But in this case, I had no interest in going after him, so he was probably going to live a long life.
Though I didn’t get to actually have my battle, it didn’t change the fact that I had declared who I was. The other knight—the one with the rugged face—had heard me loud and clear.
“Yumiella! Yumiella’s here! Valschein’s Demon Lord is attacking the command center!” His loud alarm traveled through the army like a wave crashing through a calm sea.
Soon after, screams broke out. Some soldiers stood up only to topple over with dismay. Cooking pots started getting flipped upside down.
Oh well. It’ll be difficult to get things under control with people in such a panic. Even if I try to do something to help, it’ll only make things worse...
I stood there, unsure of how to proceed, when someone suddenly yelled, “Calm down! Have you forgotten about our secret weapon?!” The voice had yelled so loudly that my ears rang for a moment.
The announcement had come from the grand tent in front of me. It had been so loud that the tent fabric was still shaking with the force of it. Someone who could produce such a sound had to be a terribly strong person. Judging from the fact that it came from inside the extravagant tent, the voice likely belonged to the first prince of Lemlaesta.
I wasn’t sure if it was the charismatic power of a royal’s words, or if they had just been shocked by the loud sound, but the army that had just been in utter chaos quickly quieted down.
A man threw back the flaps of the tent and strode outside. He was very tall, and his body was muscular enough that you could clearly see how built he was even under his clothes. He had not a single strand of hair, though I wasn’t sure if this was natural or if he shaved his head. The prince of Lemlaesta was supposed to be around thirty years old, but he seemed so dignified that he looked to be in his fifties.
There was just one strange aspect to the large and impressive man: he was wearing something that looked like a gas mask over his nose and mouth.
“You must be wondering what this is!” he bellowed at me. “I’ll tell you! Its official name is ‘Wind: Model 347 Version 4,’ also known as the Voice Amplify-inator! It’s a magical instrument that I myself invented!”
I couldn’t help but cover my ears at the booming sound of his voice resonating around us once more. Just as I thought that I’d already met the intense personality in this camp, another crazy person showed up. Even though he didn’t need it anymore, the first prince continued using the bullhorn-like magical instrument as he spoke.
“You must be wondering about how the Voice Amplify-inator works! I’ll tell you! This device uses wind magic to disperse the wearer’s voice! In other words, it amplifies their voice!” he said with a boisterous laugh. I was starting to feel nauseous, buffeted by his loud voice at such close proximity.
Why did he even bother explaining it? It’s an extremely literal name for the device. He reminds me of the woman from the magical-instrument shop. I wonder if these corny, overly long names are the current trend or something.
As the man who I had assumed was the prince left me in baffled silence, another man exited the tent. He was the complete opposite of the large man; he was so thin, it seemed like the smallest breeze could knock him over. His skin was also an unhealthy, pallid shade—he looked like he had been a shut-in for many years.
The man, who seemed like a researcher or something, covered his ears as he spoke softly. “Doctor. Doctor, please. Take off the Amplify-inator. It’s too loud.”
“What’s that?! I can’t hear you!” barked the doctor (who was apparently not the prince). “Why don’t you try projecting your voice from your stomach?”
“Also, the one you invented was Wind: Model 347 Version 1,” the thin man corrected. “Versions 3 and 4 were iterated upon by the Second Armory. I’m impressed with how they were able to transform the basically useless Version 1 into something practical.”
“How dare you! This version only exists thanks to the original model! The mind which creates from nothing is the superior one!”
“See, you can hear me after all... You created Model 347 when trying to copy a dungeon-generated magical instrument, right? So you were also copying an existing item.”
“Urgh... That’s enough!” the doctor snapped.
“No, I’ve had enough of you, Doctor. Come on, let’s take the Amplify-inator off.” The thin man reached towards the bald man and managed to slip the magical instrument off his face.
The knight with the intense personality had fled the scene, but now I was facing two people with personalities just as big. It also seemed like neither of these people were the prince. From their conversation, it appeared as though they were a doctor and his assistant.
Yet another man popped out of the tent. He was well put together, but he looked quite plain and didn’t have much of a presence, especially in comparison to the two researchers.
I wonder if he’s also an assistant. I’ll name you “Assistant: Part Two.” But if they’re all researchers, then where is the first prince of Lemlaesta? Is this grand tent just a distraction, while they keep the prince hidden elsewhere?
“Excuse me, where is the first prince?” I asked.
“Hey, they’re asking for you, Prince,” the doctor said casually to Assistant: Part Two.
Huh? That plain-looking guy is the prince?
“I wish you wouldn’t keep telling everyone who I am,” the prince mumbled quietly.
“What’s that?! I couldn’t hear you, Prince!” the doctor boomed.
Considering the tone the man was taking with a member of the royal family, I was starting to wonder if he was really a researcher. He seemed willing to answer my questions, so I decided to ask for introductions from them as well.
“I’m the director of the First Armory of Lemlaesta, Leonard!” the bald man roared. “This is my assistant.”
“I’m just a researcher.” The thin man shrugged. “I’ve been forced to protect the doctor.”
I guess they’re exactly who they appear to be.
The doctor, who was remarkably loud even without the amplifier, was heartily smacking his assistant on the back, which seemed to annoy the smaller man. I’d had more than my fill of weirdos today, but the panic in the army seemed to have died down. If it weren’t for the appearance of these two odd researchers, it probably would’ve been difficult for me to pretend to lose.
I wonder if I can utilize them somehow to lose in a more convincing way.
“It’s our turn to ask a question!” the doctor confidently declared while staring at me. “Are you Countess Dolkness?!”
“Yes, I’m Yumiella Dolkness,” I answered.
“Very well, target confirmed!” Now that introductions had been made, the researcher duo I had internally entrusted to aid in my performance started to take action. “Prepare the coordinate-specifying device!”
“Right away,” the assistant responded before quickly heading into the tent.
Oh yeah, the professor first said, “Have you forgotten about our secret weapon?” or something like that. I guess he needs to prepare his secret weapon that isn’t really a secret anymore thanks to his loud voice. I would totally win if I just attacked right now.
Instead, I continued to stay still and observe them. If they did end up using their secret weapon, I could probably fake losing quite well.
The assistant returned from the tent, carrying four poles that were as long as he was tall over one shoulder. The poles were quite thin, but they still seemed heavy for him—perhaps it wasn’t the most prudent thing to assign a task that required physical strength to someone with arms that thin.
The assistant walked up to me and started stabbing the poles into the ground around me. He planted the poles one by one until I was surrounded by all four. I took a couple steps back as he worked, trying to stay out of his way.
“Don’t move! I’ll have to redo it if you do, so stay still,” he instructed.
“Oh, I’m sorry.”
I got scolded by the assistant...
He finished placing the poles in a square, with me at the center, and then he eyeballed his work critically.
“A little to the left, please,” the assistant said.
I took a step. “Here...?”
“Agh, no! That’s too far!”
Following the assistant’s orders, I moved to the true center of the square. It seemed like their secret weapon would use the four poles to determine the location of the target. It seemed like quite an impractical hassle for a weapon.
You could only use this on someone who would wait for you to set up the device without moving around. Only someone trying to lose would get hit by this. Are they really planning to win using this thing?
I decided to give up on the researcher duo, who appeared to not be paying any attention to me while they busied themselves with their device, so I looked instead towards the prince. He awkwardly looked away from me.
“I’ve finished setting up the coordinate-specifying device, Doctor,” the assistant announced.
“Good work! Now it’s time for the Seal Away-inator!” the doctor exclaimed, pulling out a white cube. It was so small that it fit in his palm, and it seemed to be glowing slightly.
“What is that...?” I asked.
“This is Light: Model 997 Version 1, also known as the Seal Away-inator. Several hundreds of years ago, the person known as the Demon Lord of the Kingdom of Valschein was sealed away by the first queen of Valschein. This is a recreation of that sealing instrument!”
Wow, he really will answer any question I have. Yeah, I remember hearing about that magical instrument that sealed the Demon Lord away. It looks like this one is a light-type object, so I’m sure it’ll be effective against me. If that Demon Lord got sealed away for hundreds of years with something similar, then I might actually be in danger.
“The first queen of Valschein was a light magic user, right?” I asked. “Doesn’t it need light magical energy?”
It was hard to imagine light magic not playing a part in sealing the Demon Lord away. Light magic users were incredibly rare, so I couldn’t imagine that they had found one so easily. If I were only considering people currently alive, Alicia was the only light magic user that came to mind, but she was currently imprisoned somewhere in the Royal Palace.
I thought I might be in danger after hearing about the sealing instrument, but I might actually be safe, I thought, feeling a bit relieved.
The bald man let out a fearless chuckle. “Of course it does, and we have a light magic user right here. I have to say, I’m impressed with our kingdom’s agents.”
“Agents...?” Now I felt a little lost.
Wouldn’t you be boasting about your kingdom’s mages, or the people of your kingdom in general for producing a rare light magic user? Why the agents? He’s talking about spies, right? If a spy got them a light magic user...
“You don’t mean...?!” I exclaimed.
“That’s exactly what I mean!” The doctor turned to call back to the tent. “You can come out!”
Alicia Ehnleit, the main character of the otome game, was the one person who could take down the hidden boss, Yumiella. I couldn’t believe she was on Lemlaesta’s side.
After the doctor called her out of the tent, she was going to...
Hm?
“Um, there’s no one there...” I observed.
“You’re right, there isn’t,” the doctor agreed. “Assistant!”
The assistant ran back into the tent.
Maybe Alicia isn’t here after all? Maybe I was overthinking it. Alicia disappearing from Valschein and joining the kingdom’s enemy just to defeat me seems like a bit of a stretch, after all...
Soon after the doctor’s assistant barged into the tent, I could hear some commotion inside.
“I don’t want to!” a familiar voice cried. “This is the first I’m hearing of this! No one told me I’d be dragged out so far from the Royal Capital! I thought we were conducting an experiment on a magical instrument!”
“It is an experiment,” I heard the assistant soothe. “It’s just that we’re conducting it on Countess Dolkness.”
“No, no, I can’t do it! I’ve made up my mind to never face Yumiella ever again! My stomach hurts! I’m gonna go home!”
The assistant appeared at the entrance to the tent, aggressively tugging on a pink-haired girl’s arm. It was indeed Alicia Ehnleit.
I was flabbergasted. She’s actually here?!
As she was dragged out of the tent, Alicia looked away from the assistant and turned her attention to me. Our eyes met, and I could tell that she was obviously terrified.
“It’s been a while,” I greeted her.
“Yumiella...! You’re all right!” she squealed. “The evil kingdom of Lemlaesta is trying to seal you away! I infiltrated the enemy in order to squash their plans! Come on, let’s take down the diabolical Lemlaestans together!”
Wow, she seems so talkative today. Was she always like this? I don’t really remember what she was like, but I think her personality was different at the Academy.
I silently stared at her, skeptical of her words, but she continued speaking.
“I’ve been having such a rough time. I was suddenly kidnapped by a Lemlaestan. I resisted, but I’m not strong like you, so I was taken away! Goodness, what an inconvenience that was! But everything’s okay now, because you’re here, Yumiella! I guess my services are no longer needed. You’ll take Lemlaesta down on your own, right?! Because you’re so strong! Hee hee!” Alicia had a strained smile stretched across her face.
This hurts to watch... Yeah, she definitely wasn’t like this before. I guess being confined for a year or so changes a person.
“So...which was it? Did you infiltrate them or were you kidnapped?” I asked.
“Um, well, what do I...” Her eyes darted around uncertainly before she settled on her answer. “I was kidnapped! It’s true! After that, I pretended to betray Valschein, and I focused on gathering intel... It’s true! Please believe me!”
It appeared that both stories were lies. I wasn’t a very convincing liar either, but I wondered if my own falsehoods were this obvious to others.
“What?” The doctor looked at her strangely. “I thought you said you wanted to get on a ship headed for another continent and say goodbye to your enemy.” His comments trampled unceremoniously all over Alicia’s efforts to make a cover story. His words only backed up my assumptions.
“Don’t be fooled by him...!” Alicia exclaimed, sounding a bit desperate. “They’re the enemy! And they have evil plans!”
I was starting to put the pieces together. Alicia had probably been told that she would be allowed to flee the continent if she helped the Lemlaestans with a magical-instrument experiment, and she’d followed a Lemlaestan spy out of Valschein. She had never expected to be forced to go up against me, which was what had brought us here.
The only reason Lemlaesta would want a light magic user is for anti-Yumiella purposes. Why would she believe that they wanted her help in a magical-instrument experiment?
Things had gotten too crazy—this was no longer the time to be worrying about convincingly losing. Fortunately, Alicia seemed like she had no intention of actually fighting, so I could probably just destroy the magical instrument.
I immediately launched into action. I kicked off the ground, leaping forwards to snatch the device out of the doctor’s hand. Then suddenly, I felt an impact to my forehead.
“Ow...” This sensation was familiar. It was a similar pain to the time I had crashed into the barrier-producing magical instrument that the duke had stolen from the church.
I quickly spread out my arms, and my fingers touched something solid in the air; I confirmed that a perfectly square-shaped barrier had formed around me, one that used the four poles as the corners.
If I can’t destroy the instrument itself, I’ll destroy the device that supports it.
I grabbed one of the poles surrounding me, but...
“Ow, hot!” The moment I touched the stake, there was an unbearable pain in my hand, and I reflexively let go of it.
“I guess the element of light is your weakness after all.” The doctor nodded to himself as I groaned in pain.
I can’t believe their weapons have been this effective before Alicia has even done anything. The sealing instrument is a threat even if Alicia isn’t. Still, only someone who uses magic can fully seal someone away. As long as Alicia doesn’t see me as an enemy, I might not actually get sealed—
“Ha ha ha!” Alicia cackled. “I guess you are weak to light after all! I wasted my time worrying!”
I gaped at her. “Alicia?”
“I lied about both the kidnapping and the infiltration!” she gloated. “I didn’t know I’d have to go up against you, but it’s for the sake of my freedom! I’ll seal you away!” Alicia was now on the enemy’s side, betraying me as soon as she saw how the device affected me—basically, as soon as she saw how weak I was against the element of light.
I guess she’s what you’d call a turncoat.
The doctor handed Alicia the magical instrument, and as her fingers closed around it, she let out a delighted chuckle.
“Goodbye, Yumiella. I don’t think we’ll ever see each other again. I didn’t hate you that much...” She stopped and seemed to reconsider. “No, I did hate you. Well then, do your thing, Seal Away-inator!”
The cube began to glow radiantly, and it floated upwards, hovering over Alicia’s palm. Guided by the stakes, the cube started moving in spirals around me. I steeled myself for immense pain, but I felt nothing at all. I was enveloped in light magical energy, but it was like I was being lulled into a comforting sleep...
I could have jumped upwards, or dug below me and hid underground. I could’ve used Black Hole to destroy the stakes. There were countless possibilities available for my next move. I had to keep thinking of escape routes, but I couldn’t break free from the comforting sensation. It was like I was just going to melt into slumber, and I found myself wanting to let it happen.
As my consciousness began to fade away, I heard the sound of Patrick’s voice.
“Yumiella!”
I’m sorry for running away from home. I’m sorry for whining about not wanting to have a wedding. There’s no way Patrick would be here. I’m sure I’m hallucinating the sound of his voice...
◆◆◆
Before I knew it, I suddenly became aware that I was standing in the same place as before. In front of me stood the doctor, the assistant, and Alicia. It seemed like not much time had passed.
“Huh?” I said, confusion evident in my voice.
“Nineteen seconds to escape!” the doctor exclaimed. “Record it for your report! Nineteen seconds!”
“I’ve already noted it,” the assistant replied.
Did he say nineteen seconds? They used a similar magical instrument to the one that sealed away the Demon Lord, and it only kept me sealed for nineteen seconds? What a downgrade this copy is.
I experimentally moved my body, and I felt perfectly fine.
I guess I was able to escape on my own. Darn, I thought Patrick was going to come save me. Now that the deployment of the enemy’s secret weapon has ended in a misfire, I can just go ahead and take down the Lemlaestan army... Wait, no, that’s right. I need to pretend to lose.
As I recalled my intended goal, I had a revelation.
I can use this situation to my advantage... I can make it seem like I was able to immediately nullify the effects of the sealing instrument, but that it took up too much of my power, leaving me weak and with no choice but to retreat...
I had come up with the perfect story. My reason for retreating would be clear, and it was the perfect balance of winning without appearing too weak.
“Wow, um, I’m so impressed, Yumiella,” Alicia said, right as I was about to make my next move. I couldn’t help but notice that her legs were trembling. She pasted on a shaky smile. “Wow, you know, your skin is so nice! Do you do anything special? Oh, I guess you have no reason to tell me your secrets! Hee hee!” This girl, who had at this point switched sides too many times for me to count, seemed to be tearing up.
I’ll ignore Alicia. I don’t even know how to deal with her.
I had to stop paying attention to Alicia and focus on my plan to lose.
The reason Linus was on the side of the first prince was because the faction of the second prince didn’t value researchers. If they had developed a magical instrument that was capable of weakening the Yumiella, then the researcher duo before me would probably get praise for their skills, perhaps proving their worth in the eyes of all of Lemlaesta.
I’m feeling as strong as ever, but I guess I’ll pretend to lose. They won’t believe me if I just say, “Oh noes, I’ve run out of energy so I have no choice but to run!” It would be best for them to notice I’ve been weakened, I thought. Accordingly, I dramatically stumbled as if I had become dizzy. How’s this? I glanced over to see how the researchers were reacting.
“Her escape was much faster than we expected,” the assistant remarked. “I wonder if a long-term sealing effect will be impossible to recreate.”
“My inventions rival those that come from dungeons!” roared the doctor. “It must either be because the user wasn’t strong enough, or the target was too strong!”
They weren’t paying attention to me at all.
Um, I just escaped immediately after being sealed away? Aren’t you the tiniest bit concerned about how I might retaliate?
The researchers could’ve learned something from Alicia, who had moved on from nervously complimenting me to sitting on the ground and crying. Suddenly, the assistant looked my way. He didn’t seem terrified in the slightest—in fact, he seemed completely neutral, like he was staring at a guinea pig he was experimenting on.
“Countess Dolkness, I’d like to hear your thoughts on the nineteen seconds you were sealed away.”
“It felt like it ended in the blink of an eye...” I responded. “It feels like it was less than a second.” Is he really asking for my thoughts? Just then, I had a realization. Wait, this is my chance to make it seem like I’ve been weakened by the experience. “I guess the sealing instrument isn’t such a threat after all. I feel perfectly fine even after breaking the seal.”
If I simply told them that I wasn’t feeling well, they would probably be suspicious—that was why it had to seem like I was bluffing and pretending to act fine. The fact that I mentioned how I was feeling after breaking the seal, which they hadn’t even asked about, made my ruse extra convincing.
How’s that, assistant? Please, notice that I’m weakened... Or that I’m faking it, I guess, since I’m doing great.
“I didn’t ask about your thoughts regarding the period after you broke the seal,” the assistant admonished. “Human subjectivity is unreliable.”
“It’s too bad we couldn’t bring out the assessment tool!” the doctor exclaimed. “If only we had brought along the device that can assess a human’s current mana levels!”
“That device is humongous,” the assistant pointed out. “It’s also rare, so we probably couldn’t have gotten permission to borrow it.”
The researchers continued their conversation, completely ignoring me. They showed no signs of noticing my weakened state—well, my fake weakened state because, again, I was feeling great.
They probably only have eyes for magical instruments. Maybe I really need to ham it up for them.
“I see, so you had anticipated my mana decreasing, as it totally has... Still, it’s only been depleted by a small amount. I’ll have no trouble fighting.”
How about that?! Doesn’t it seem like I’m desperately bluffing? I, Yumiella Dolkness, have obviously been weakened! (Even though I’m actually doing great.)
“That’s your subjective opinion, no?” the assistant repeated with an exasperated look. “Or are you able to provide some kind of objective data?”
I hate this guy.
It was true that I could be misinterpreting things due to my own subjectivity—especially considering that I was, in fact, lying about the whole thing. My mana hadn’t been depleted at all, nor did it feel like any had been taken from me. In the end, I supposed the researchers were correct to maintain their skeptical attitudes, since my body hadn’t actually been affected by the device in any appreciable way.
“We just can’t get meaningful results outside of the lab,” the assistant observed.
“I agree. Let’s return at once!” the doctor suggested.
“Our belongings are already prepared. As for the backup coordinate-specifying device—”
“Leave it!”
Without further ado, the doctor reached into the tent and slung an already packed knapsack over his shoulders. He sprinted off. The assistant, who appeared to be traveling lighter than his companion, was still unable to match the doctor’s pace, and he desperately followed after, wheezing and out of breath.
Their all too swift retreat left me and the Lemlaestan soldiers standing there with no other recourse but to watch blankly as the researchers traveled quickly out of sight.
Oh, they’re getting smaller and smaller. Wait, they’re gone now. Oh well, I guess it’s fine. I don’t think I was going to succeed in making them think I was weakened anyway.
I needed someone who was going to think, “Maybe she used up her strength escaping,” after seeing how quickly I broke the seal—someone who would make assumptions about the odds being in their favor.
There wouldn’t be someone here who conveniently fits that, would—
“Are you perhaps weakened after being sealed away, Yumiella?”
“Oh.”
There was such a person: Alicia Ehnleit.
“Maybe she didn’t go after the researchers because she’s weakened...” Alicia mumbled to herself. “Maybe I should run too... No, maybe now I could beat her...?”
How convenient for me. I love you, Alicia. I’m glad that those researchers are gone, since they might’ve contradicted my claims of being weakened. Oh, but I do regret not getting to ask them if they know about any other level-assessment tools.
Currently, I owned only a crystal that could show the lower two digits of someone’s level, which meant that my true level was unknown. The researchers might have known of other magical instruments that could perhaps display three, four, or even more digits of one’s level. It was unfortunate that I hadn’t been afforded a chance to ask them about it.
Oh, right. Level assessments!
I had completely forgotten to do my daily level assessment. It slipped my mind because I had left so early this morning and had spent all day traveling with Gilbert.
Despite only being able to see the lower two digits, it was fun to see my level go up, one level at a time. I hadn’t taken down any monsters, so my level likely hadn’t changed from when I’d checked it yesterday and the day before, but I was still going to do it—I’d classified it as a daily task for a reason.
I pulled out the crystal, which made Alicia start screaming. I ignored her.
“Waaaugh! She’s pulling something out...?! It’s all over for me! I’m going to die!”
Disregarding Alicia’s latest round of hysterics, I crouched down and placed the crystal on the ground. Then I placed my hand over it, and I peeked hopefully over at the number displayed on the other side. I hadn’t planned for it, but I’d ended up placing the instrument so that the display faced towards Alicia. Since she was still flopping around on the ground, she probably had a good view of the crystal.
Of course, my level was unchanged, and the crystal still said “13.” Still, these were only the lower two digits—my actual level could be in the hundreds or even thousands.
“13...?” Alicia mumbled. She scrambled to her feet. Her face, which had mere seconds ago been twisted in fear, was suddenly filled with confidence and hope. “13! The Yumiella is level 13! I can win! Even I can beat her!”
No, no. I’ve surpassed the limit of 99... Oh, right. Most people would just look at the crystal and assume I’m level 13. This will make me look like I’m weakened more than ever. I never thought this crystal would come in handy here. Patrick and Gilbert are so shortsighted, thinking it’s strange to walk around with it. This is my chance to pull off my plan!
“Oh noes, what has happened?” I said in an extremely dramatic fashion. “Being sealed away has made my level decrease! I have no choice but to retreat and regain my strength.”
I’m really glad the researchers aren’t here. They might’ve explained that it wasn’t possible for my level to decrease because of the sealing instrument. Actually, can levels decrease? If they can, I want to exterminate all possibilities of that happening.
Okay then, the plan has basically been completed. I just need to run away with my tail between my legs; then Lemlaesta will think they weakened Yumiella and won, which will give them glory. They probably won’t bother forcing their way into Ashbatten after all this.
Actually, if I run away too quickly, they might not believe I’m weakened. I should retreat in a more relaxed manner.
As I considered how I should go about withdrawing, Alicia stalked towards me.
“Do you know how much I’ve been through because of you, Yumiella?!” she yelled. “Do you understand the pain of living without any freedom?!”
I’ll let her say whatever she wants. After all, I’m the one who suggested she be confined instead of executed.
I responded to her with only silence, so she continued her rant.
“The Yumiella is only level 13?! How pitiful! How does it feel to have lost the only thing that gave you worth? I have the higher level! I have the advantage! Looks like the winner is clear!”
I was well aware that my level wasn’t 13. I wasn’t going to lose my cool over such a low-grade attempt at egging me on.
“How pathetic!” Alicia exclaimed. “Level 13...?” She began giggling. “That’s lower than a first-year!”
Endure it. Stay calm, me.
I was strong, so I wasn’t going to take such a weak-looking person seriously. The stronger Alicia’s taunting became, the more it showed how weak she was.
I’m strong. I’m strong. I’m strong. Iamstrooo—
“You’re weak!” Alicia continued mercilessly. “You’re truly, unbelievably weak! You’re a small fry! You’re nothing, small fry!”
“Grrrggggaaargh!”
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