Chapter 79 - Of Course, I'm Telling You Not To Let It Slip.
When I emerged from the mining tunnel carrying Kairi, Faran, and Ziruko hurriedly ran towards us.
「Kairi!? Y-You! Why are you here...」
「Even if you ask me why...」
Kairi weakly smiled in response to Ziruko's surprised voice.
According to Kairi's story, she was captured on that night. She had left her own hut to visit our hut when she was attacked by Ganga, the tiger-striped beastkin.
「The elder is involved as well, after all... Ganga is the elder's right-hand man.」
「...I guess so. Well, as you can see, I'm damaged goods, so I wouldn't be worth selling. They intended to use me as a plaything and discard me.」
「.....Unforgivable.」
As Faran's eyes filled with anger, Kairi smiled wryly and weakly.
「Well... I don't particularly dislike the act itself. It's just that there's no designated partner, and I do want plenty of children. If someone can provide me with offspring, I wouldn't mind that either. But, you know... It's not that enjoyable outside of the mating season.」
Faran and I exchanged glances.
It seems that the concept of chastity among the beastkin is quite different from ours. If Kairi doesn't have any lingering emotional scars, then that's fine in its own way, but...
「Why would the elder do something like this?」
As Ziruko muttered with a groan, Kairi shrugged her shoulders and spat out her words.
「The elder is blinded by the luxuries she can get from that Brisken bastard. As long as he can join with the males, he can have as many women as he wants.」(?)
In a hurry, Faran used her water-based magic to cleanse Kairi's body and wrapped her in the linen cloth we brought from the mining tunnel.
At first glance, she didn't seem to have any major injuries or life-threatening conditions, but she appeared severely exhausted, unable to even stand up on her own.
「Now then... the problem is what to do from here. It's too dangerous for both of you to return to the village... Since there's a carriage in the mining tunnel, the best option would be for us to escape from here.」
When I said that, Ziruko stared at me with pleading eyes.
「No, please. To the village.......Take me to the village... I know it's dangerous, but I can't leave Zunba anywhere.」
「Right...」
If we leave Brisken and the elder as they are, the beastkin will be sold off again. Knowing that, it would be a nightmare to just leave them be.
「There's no other choice. We have to do something about Brisken and the elder... Faran, are you okay with that?」
When I asked, Faran suddenly dropped to one knee and spoke.
「Of course, my lord. I shall follow your will, Ozma-sama.」
「.............Eh?」
「I had a faint suspicion, but I confirmed it with the ancient language magic you used earlier. You are Ozma-sama himself! In that case, we sisters will submit to you as your wives.」
(Oh, shit!)
That's right.
Thinking about it, no matter how pissed I was with them, I had used the 'Flame Curtain' spell right in front of Faran. Even without much knowledge of ancient magic and without the movement of spirits, anyone would realize that such a powerful spell could only be ancient magic.
「Wait, wait a minute... That's not what it means... Ah, ahaha... I, I don't really understand what you're talking about...」
I tried to come up with an excuse, but Faran stood up and brought her face close to mine.
「Ozma-sama, there's no need for deception anymore. Thinking back, after the pillar of flames erupted before the battle, the Orthodox Church conducted an investigation and concluded that it must have been the appearance of Ozma-sama's reincarnation.」
「Ugh....」
「And during the battle, there were rumors circulating at one point suggesting that you might be the reincarnation of Ozma-sama, but the higher-ups in the church denied it.」
「If they denied it...」
「No, there is no mistake anymore. You are Ozma-sama.」」
Faran directed her gaze at me, filled with admiration and joy, causing me to retreat hesitantly. Kairi and Ziruko looked perplexed, not understanding what was happening.
(I can't really deceive her... Well, for now, I can't go back to my original era, and it's not like I want the Orthodox Church to know that I'm Ozma...)
「......Well, I guess that may be true, but....」
As soon as I said that, Faran's expression melted away, like that of a dreamy maiden.
「If that's the case, you should have told me from the beginning... This Faran would have served you with all her heart and soul...」
「No, um, Faran-san? Please, just act like usual, it's making me crazy.」
「It's impossible. In the presence of the one we, the Sisters, have admired and worshipped as our lord and equal to God, there's no way I can remain as I have been. If you permit it, I am so overwhelmed that I want to offer myself completely right now.」
「Wait, wait a minute! Stop! Stop!」
Faran, with an expression that I no longer think she seemed sane, came closer with heavy breathing, causing me to instinctively step back. Seeing us like that, Kairi intervened with a look of exasperation.
「Well, whatever, but can you save the lovey-dovey stuff for later?」
I was relieved. That thought only lasted for a moment as Faran's attention turned towards Kairi.
「Be silent! You are not unrelated to this! All women, regardless of being beastkin, monsters, or fish, should serve Ozma-sama! It is written in the scriptures that all women should be equal before Ozma-sama. If Ozma-sama desires, you should all open your legs immediately and receive him!」
「B-Boss, w-what is this person talking about!? I have no idea! H-Hey, do something about this!」
Yep, I underestimated the fanatical devotion of the Sisters. Well... understandably, Her Majesty the Queen wouldn't want the church to find out about this.
「Ah... Faran, I need you to calm down for a moment.」
「Yes! If it's your command.」
For now, it seems that she will obey if I give orders as Ozma. I don't feel comfortable acting so high and mighty, but I suppose there's no choice until I get used to it.
(Somehow, it feels like the distance that had closed between us has suddenly grown apart again...)
I appreciate the recent casual way of speaking, but it even made me feel more at ease when she used to speak bluntly and disrespectfully.
Gathering myself, I carry Kairi on my back and, along with Faran and Ziruko, head into the forest towards the village.
We leave the horse and carriage we found in the mine shaft behind since they can't enter the forest, but we can use them when we leave here and head towards the capital.
Faran showed reluctance when I suggested carrying Kairi on my back, but there was no other way. When I firmly told her not to complain since I'm fine with it, she reluctantly fell silent.
There is quite a distance between this abandoned mine and the village. It would be quite difficult to make a round trip in one night, and in reality, Faran is panting heavily. It's also quite challenging for me to carry Kairi on my back.
Ziruko's calm expression is to be expected as a beastkin, I suppose.
By the time the eastern sky starts to brighten, we finally arrive at the entrance of the village, where Ganga and several dozen beastkin are waiting for us.
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