Slave Harem Volume 4, Chapter 27

Chapter 27

「This dish, cheese fondue, gives such a luxurious feel to it... Mars-san, did you eat something like this at home? I'm envious! 」

「...... In the first place, there's no need to cook such a dish outside. It feels like you're being too careless to do it in a situation like in a dungeon, and with the end in sight, too.」

　Mars and the others were enjoying their luxurious camp meal around the pot.

　It was Hazuki who suggested the idea.

　Hazuki preferred dishes that were meant to be enjoyed rather than ones that were just about taste.

「Actually, I wanted to try it too. The cheese gets stuck, and it's a pain to wash the pot afterward, though. ――Oh, Lilia has this too. It's chocolate fondue!」

「!? This is quite fascinating, isn't it!?」

「Nemu like that one too-nya! It's luxury-nyaa...!」

　Mars smiled as he clearly saw their eyes light up.

　Since the main purpose was to replenish their nutrients, he wanted to feed them even a small amount of high-calorie food

　Magic often consumes around 2000 calories just by using it once. That's equivalent to an adult's daily calorie intake. Not only does it consume magic power, but it also consumes physical strength.

　That's why it's essential to have a meal before going to battle. If possible, he would like for them to take a nap too.

　Although they're not in a life-and-death situation, they're almost dying every time they reach the end of the Seven Great Dungeons.

　That's why they need to prepare as much as they can. That's the starting line.

　It looked like they were having a picnic in a dangerous place, and they might have looked strange to others, but they enjoyed their meal.

　The impression from other adventurers is like seeing a group of people playing cheese fondue near the summit of Mount Everest. It's incomprehensible.

　The anomaly occurred when Lilia, who has a small appetite, started to move on to dessert.

「I smelled something delicious and thought it was noisy. ...... Cheese fondue in a dungeon? Are you crazy?」

　A man's voice came from behind Mars.

　It was the voice he had never heard before.

「Who's there!?」

　When he quickly turned around, there was a man in black armor.

　――Could it be a Jet Black!? I didn't notice him at all!

　Jet-Black was squatting in a Yankee style, looking at Mars and his companions.

「Only women ......is this a harem? Well, in this world, it doesn't matter if you're a man or a woman, strength is what counts. It's possible that even if I seriously choose, there will be only women.」

「A-Are you "Jet Black"? W-What do you want!?」

「What? Am I being called by that name? Having a second name makes it feel like a fantasy――Wait, you don't get it, huh」

「Hah?」

　――Fantasy? Did he just say "fantasy"?

　There is no such word in this world.

「Can I have one? I didn't think I could eat here, but seeing it in front of me suddenly made me hungry.」

　Swiftly, "Jet Black" grabs a skewer and without waiting for approval, takes a bite of cheese fondue.

　Mars couldn't see his face under the armor. 

　But his voice sounded young.

　Mars probably felt that he was the same age as him.

「This is delicious! ――So, did you guys come here to conquer this place too? Sorry, but I'm going to conquer it. Once I conquer this place, the world will be mine.」

「W-What are you saying!? You just appeared out of nowhere and started doing whatever you want...!」

　Lilia stood up and pointed her bow at "Jet Black".

　"Jet Black" didn't react and just looked at her.

「Lilia! Stop! Don't fight this guy!」

「Oh, do big bro can tell? ――I'm strong. I don't need any friends. 'Friendship, effort, victory' is just for weaklings. The strong ones are those who crush, kill, conquer, and rule. I was born with that kind of power. It's like having cheats.」

　Ignoring Mars's attempt to stop her, Lilia fired an arrow from point-blank range.

　To Lilia, it was a sure hit and a guaranteed kill, just like how no human could catch a bullet fired in front of them

　However, the arrow was lightly deflected like a pinball and returned to Lilia.

　Nemu shot down the arrow.

「It's useless. Stop it. You can only live for a few more days, so enjoy your remaining time. You should be happy to know that the world will be destroyed in advance.」

「What do you mean!?」

「Ah, even if I tell someone from this world, they probably won't understand, but... Well, to put it simply, when you clear four of the Seven Great Dungeons, that is, when you clear the majority of them, you are given the right to remake this world. It's given by some god-like being.」

「......Huh?」

　"Jet Black", still in his armor, spoke while eating cheese fondue with a sense of ownership.

　He waved a skewer like a conductor's baton, and it was a casual way of talking.

「As the god-like being said, this world is still incomplete. The Seven Great Dungeons are located in key areas of the world. You know that much, right? That's why you're here. And if you conquer half of those key areas, you'll have the right to change the world as you please. That's when the world will be complete.」

　――I don't understand what he's talking about.

　What the hell is this guy saying?

　Is he just a lunatic?

　No.

「I came here to completely transform this world as I see fit. And so, sorry to say, but I plan to kill all the creatures in this world for that purpose. Humans, demi-humans, monsters, all of them.」

　The seriousness of his words and his unapologetic attitude were too contradictory.

　His light tone was oddly ominous.

　As his nickname suggests, his black heart was revealed.

「W-What are you talking about? Why would you do that?」

「Well, before deciding to conquer the dungeon, I thought a lot about what kind of world I wanted to create, you know? I realized that I hate humans. And if you ask me if I like other animals? I don't like them either. So, I thought for now, isn't it better to destroy everything and then think about it later?」

　Lilia was furious at "Jet Black" who spoke nonchalantly as if it was someone else's problem.

　Mars was too overwhelmed to say anything.

　"Jet Black"'s words didn't sound like nonsense.

　He couldn't believe that the remarks made by someone using words like 'fantasy' and 'cheat' that don't exist in this world were appropriate. (?)

「What evidence do you have for such confusion!? I'll destroy you before I'm destroyed!」

　Lilia's hostility was brushed aside by "Jet-Black".

　Even at this distance, it was too far to take the life of "Jet Black". That's why he didn't even bother to prepare himself.

　Then, he sat down with a thud and pointed at Mars while seiza.

「Evidence, right...... it's difficult. It's a story that you won't understand unless you've heard it. By the way, since we're here, why don't you introduce yourself, big bro? You're the leader of this party, aren't you? I know it.」

「Mars Irving ......」

「No, no.....That's not your real name, right? You have another one, don't you? ――You're the same as me, aren't you? I thought maybe, so I tried to tease you with words like "cheat", but you were the only one who reacted obviously. The other girls just looked confused, but you were the only one who was clearly surprised.」

　Lilia and the others looked puzzled, not knowing what they were talking about.

　Mars was at a loss for words.

　――As I suspected

　He spoke the answer he already knew, feeling a sense of relief.

　Mars knew from the beginning

　Surely, he was not the only one chosen in this world.

　And he belonged to the group of those who were not chosen.

　The evidence was that he had not received any cheats, nor had he heard the words of the so-called god.

「I had a feeling that something was strange. When I started conquering the dungeon, there was someone who was progressing at a considerable pace. That's you guys, right? You conquered the Great Norn Tomb and the Demon Mine. I got it now. This means that there are other reincarnated people besides me.」

「...... reincarnated people?」

　Lilia reacted to "Jet Black"'s words.

　She knew from the atmosphere that this man knew something about Mars.

　So she tried to restrain her hostility and focus on the situation.

　Mars looked so unreliable that he seemed like he was about to burst into tears, which was a sight Lilia had never seen before.

　Lilia was determined that now was the time for her to step up.

「Oh, you didn't tell them? That was a bad thing I did. But I guess I can tell them now.」

「Stop it! Don't say any more!」

「――Me and him ain't human in this world.」

　"Jet Black" suppressed Mars, who was trying to stop him with force, with magical power from his hand, and spoke to Lilia.

　The truth that had been hidden until now was revealed.

　The fact that he couldn't bring himself to say because he didn't want her to see him differently.

　Reality does not wait for one person to make up their mind.

　"Jet Black" was a calamity. He came suddenly and overturned everything, without reason or logic.

　Even if it could be repaired, it couldn't be restored to its original form.

「Judging from your reaction, you're also Japanese, right? And probably died the same way as me.」

「Don't say that!」

　Mars took his sword and attacked "Jet Black". 

　But the blade was stopped as if pinched by fingers.

「So I'm telling you to stop. I don't want to attack someone who is also Japanese out of sympathy. Besides, I know why you came to this world. I don't plan to take it away from you. Well, it's only until I change the world, though.」

　Here, for the first time, Jet-Black's voice is filled with murderous intent.

　His evil murderous intent swirled into a black mist.

「I have an idea. Since we're here, why don't you try creating a world with me? Well, we'll have to give up on the people in this world, but we're both outsiders in this world, so maybe we can work well together?」

「――I refuse! You're going to kill Lilia and the others, aren't you?」

「I'll kill anyone who looks happy without my permission. You should understand that.――If you see someone who looks happy, don't you want to kill them? Why are you the one who gets to be happy? Have you ever thought that someone might wonder why you're happy? You haven't put in any special effort, you don't have any talent, and you haven't had any unfortunate experiences. And yet, you're happy? You're just lucky to be happy? Normally, wouldn't you want to kill them? Even though you're doing everything you can, you're not rewarded for being unhappy, right? You're on my side. That's why I'm inviting you.」

　Despite the alarming statement, "Jet-Black" spoke cheerfully.

　It had always been that way from the beginning.

　His demeanor was much lighter than Mars had imagined, more like that of an ordinary young person than a powerful individual.

「Well, forget it. The invitation was half-joking anyway. It's like bringing many boatmen to climb Mount Funayama. We don't need two gods.――I conquered the Regalia Great Volcano, the Crotto Great Temple Ruins, and the Dragonia Sky City. Once I conquer the underwater city of Critias, this existing world will come to an end.」

　"Jet-Black" stood up and spoke as if spitting out the words.

　This time, he shows his ruthless attitude. It seemed that this was his true nature.

　"Jet-Black" is a person who cannot tolerate other people's happiness.

　Some people feel envy and murderous intent towards those who were born into good circumstances and had a good environment.

　They may not be good at studying or exercising. They may not have a good appearance. But because their parents are wealthy, their victory is almost guaranteed. There may be those who feel murderous intent towards such individuals. The fact is, there is an insurmountable gap from the beginning, no matter how much effort is put in.

　"Jet-Black" encompasses such jealousy and hatred. He feels envy and animosity towards every single person in the world.

　I hate everything in the world. There are a certain number of people who feel that way.

　If they obtain the power to destroy, there would likely be many who would act upon it.

　Why only me――

　When there are disadvantages, those feelings are sure to exist at the core of a person. If given the opportunity, they will undoubtedly act on those feelings.

「I will reshape the world the way I like it. This is the story of my fresh start. It's a world where I am the protagonist.――If you don't like it, try to stop me!」

「W-Wait a minute! What do you mean by doing whatever you want...!」

「Hey, sis, are those real ears? Are you an elf or something? Oh, wait, on closer inspection, they're actually cat ears. It's not cosplay, huh?」

　Nem intensified her intimidation as the gaze of 'Jet-Black' fell upon her.

「I used to think that demi-humans were like animals, but sometimes it's not so bad to mess around with them. Well, it's a pain to dispose of them because they're stubborn, though.」

　Although his voice was slightly quieter than before, it sent shivers down Lilia's entire body'

　It was because she understood the nuance behind the word "dispose of".

　This man violates and kills.

　The words that once sounded absurd, like ""destroying the world", now felt chillingly real.

　This man lacked the humanity to care about the dignity of others, at the very least.

　Unbeknownst to her, "Jet-Black" had moved behind Lilia and was pinching her long ears with his fingers.

「Eekk!」

「You! Let go of me!」

　Lilia spoke with a trembling voice filled with fear.

　Driven by anger, Mars stood up and approached "Jet-Black", swinging his fist with all his might.

　He tried to strike his helmet, but "Jet-Black" didn't budge, and he grabbed his fist.

　Caught in between, Lilia was surprised by both parties.

「――One shot is all it takes.」

　With an indifferent tone, "Jet-Black" spoke while holding Mars' fist, then lifted his arm and slammed it forcefully against the rock wall.

「Kahah!」

　The impact and pain prevented him from even screaming properly.

　There was no sign of magic power, and even though he was just thrown with brute force, the impact was stronger than when he was fighting a monster.

「Mars-san, are you okay!?」

「Should we kill this guy-nya!?」

　Nemu and Hazuki immediately stood in front of Mars, ready for combat.

　Lilia drew her bow, and Sion prepared to cast magic.

「Stop it, you guys won't stand a chance in fight against me. I only retaliated because this guy struck me.―If you have a problem with that, I'll rape you and kill all of you. But before that, I'll rip open his stomach and let you all have a taste.」

　A cold air emanated from "Jet-Black," piercing Lilia and the others like thorns.

　They were convinced that it was definitely not a joke.

　He could easily do such things without feeling an ounce of conscience.

　To him, the world was nothing more than someone else's affair.

　He couldn't perceive anything as his own.

　Everyone felt that atmosphere.

　Mars, who had risen to his feet, hid everyone behind him

　He was anxious about it turning into a battle, but he felt like he couldn't restrain himself.

「Everyone, don't fight against this guy. If you fight, someone will definitely die.」

「Right, right. Let's be cool, stay cool.」

　With a smirk on his face, "Jet-Black" laughed.

「Ah, right. I've got an interesting idea. I'll give up this dungeon. If we do that, you guys will have three, and I'll have three as well. How about making a bet on conquering the remaining dungeon, Yggdrasil, the World Tree? By doing so, we can freely control this world. After all, without a challenge, life isn't interesting, right? Well, if you guys fail, it won't be a real competition. At that time, I'll claim it as my unconditional victory.」

　Everything was completely one-sided.

　The conversation seemed to be happening, yet it wasn't.

　But Mars agreed with that proposal. His anger couldn't be resolved without confronting the person directly.

　Although Lilia tried to shoot an arrow to prevent his escape, "Jet-Black" emitted a haze from his black armor and disappeared from the spot.

「I'll be waiting. Don't run away from it.」

　In the moment of disappearing, "Jet-Black" laughed loudly and delivered a parting line.

　Left behind were the perplexed group and a completely stunned Mars.

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