Episode 68
In a flash, I was transported from a white and golden, mysterious world to a dimly lit, cramped space.
I’ve grown accustomed to these abrupt shifts in scenery, having experienced them countless times.
“…Ah, it’s Geld…”
As expected, Geld’s body is completely different from my Japanese one. When the switch happens without the abnormal situation of a head injury, the difference is stark. It’s a completely different body.
It’s not just the physique; Geld is just plain idiotic and overflowing with energy. In the original story, he was the idiot who attacked Shino and kidnapped Millie. The reproduction is perfect.
Now that I’m aware of this, I’ll restrain myself from being swallowed by this body’s impulses and strive for rational behavior.
So, to act intelligently, I calmly surveyed my surroundings and realized that I was in a place surrounded by stone walls, with a metal grate in front of me.
“This is… a prison cell?”
What on earth did Geld do? With that much strength, getting caught would require a monumental screw-up… No.
Did all the strength I gained go with me? If so, the Geld left behind is completely helpless. There’s nothing he can do.
However, even though it’s a prison cell, the environment doesn’t seem too bad. It’s dimly lit, but there’s no musty smell, and it doesn’t seem unclean. The only problem is that I’m restrained on the bed.
“Well, what should I do?”
They probably know where I am anyway, and if I just wait, the Maiden of Genesis, who heard the story from the God of Creation, will come. In other words, Millie will come.
“…Okay, let’s escape.”
There’s no time to leisurely ponder. I need to escape first and then think. That means a prison break.
I’m a little scared to face Millie.
I think it’ll probably be alright, but I can’t imagine what will happen if it’s not. I’ll distance myself for now and observe the situation, and if it seems okay, I can reunite with her later. If possible, I’d like to make a dramatic entrance and create a good emotional moment.
The main problem with escaping is the method, but for me, probably the world’s greatest martial artist, it should be easy.
First, I’ll use brute force to break the restraints and get out of bed. My body feels a little stiff, but it seems mostly fine.
Then, I’ll use the martial arts skill ‘Advent Stance’ to buff myself, followed by ‘Crushing Kick’ to shatter the stone wall into pieces. Behold the essence of my martial prowess.
“Haaaaaaah!”
“Lord Geld?”
“Aaaaaah…?”
As I was focusing my concentration in the ‘Advent Stance’ facing the wall, I heard a voice from behind. I quietly turned around and… Shino was on the other side of the bars.
It’s dark here, but now I can see clearly, illuminated by the light of the ‘Advent Stance’. It’s undoubtedly Shino. I thought about having her behold it, but she really was watching.
“That’s the Advent Stance… so, Lord Geld, you, you’ve returned!”
When did she appear? How could I, of all people, not notice? What kind of stealth technique is that…? Wait, has it not even been a minute since I returned…? Ah, was she here from the beginning? Was she watching Geld the whole time? Has she been waiting in front of the prison cell for the day I returned?
“…”
“Lord Geld? You are Lord Geld, aren’t you?”
It’s not that Geld committed a crime and is in prison; Millie and Shino are holding Geld to prevent him from escaping? This is confinement.
Should I pretend to be the original Geld and deceive them…? That’s impossible. I only know shallow information about Geld from the game, but Shino knows him well. I’ll be exposed immediately. I have no choice but to admit it.
“Ah, well, yeah. Um, it’s been a while, Shino.”
“Lord Geld!”
Shino tried to open the door attached to the bars, but it was locked. She seemed about to take out a key, but feeling impatient, she forcibly broke the lock and entered the cell.
“Whoa, scary, scary.”
“Lord Geld!”
Shino hugged me forcefully. The original Geld would have been minced meat by now. I thought she was going to do a backbreaker or something, but it seems she just hugged me.
Still, Shino looks as beautiful and cute as ever, smells great, and is slender and soft… No, no. It’s only been a minute since I got here, and this is already happening? What’s really going on with Geld’s body? In the original story, he was more of a nasty, magic-obsessed, idiotic noble, but why is this Geld such a sex fiend?
“Ah… Lord Geld… finally, finally…”
And this is a touching reunion. It doesn’t seem like I’m going to get scolded, so I decided to let Shino hug me until she’s satisfied.
“About me, how much have you heard?”
After a good hour or two, I asked Shino, who still didn’t seem satisfied, to get some information. Millie is the one I’m really afraid of, so this is information gathering for that.
“How much? Do you mean that Lord Geld is from another world?”
“You’ve heard that much? From the God of Creation, huh.”
To think that the Hidden Boss, the God of Creation, was the mastermind, or rather, the source of all this.
No, if we’re talking about the ultimate source, it’s the god who created this world as a joke, and that god is… No, this has nothing to do with me, so never mind.
“Yes. It was through Millie, who awakened as the Maiden of Genesis.”
“Then that makes things easier. I didn’t return to my original world of my own volition; I just suddenly found myself back there. Really! I’m being totally serious.”
That’s it. I have to say this no matter what.
I was forced to go on a troublesome journey that took three years, and when I finally finished, I was gone. I’d be pissed. I’d definitely be furious.
So, I need to emphasize that the God of Creation is to blame, and I’m not at fault at all.
I might be a little too desperate, which might make me seem suspicious, but Shino should understand my sincere feelings.
However, it seems my worries were unfounded; Shino didn’t seem to care about that matter in particular. Instead, she showed a little animosity towards the God of Creation.
“Also, the God of Creation told me that the Maiden of Genesis has been asking to return Geld every day.”
“Yes. After hearing the God of Creation’s story, we learned that it was the God of Creation who brought Lord Geld to this world and then sent him back.”
“I see.”
“And since that God of Creation said that if we fought and won, he would grant our wish, Millie and I decided to challenge him for a while.”
“Ah, I see.”
It seems the God of Creation is still acting like a Hidden Boss here. Maybe I should go pay him a visit to express my gratitude.
“But to challenge him as a duo. So? Did the God of Creation give in after you challenged him many times?”
“Eh? No, even if we win, he says incomprehensible things like weapons and techniques, so we decided to keep defeating him until he properly grants our wish.”
“…Hmm?”
I see, so you two beat the Hidden Boss. You’ve gotten stronger… I wonder if you’re stronger than me now. I wonder if there’s a level cap in this world.
“However, after Millie became able to defeat him alone, we divided the tasks: Millie repeated the subjugation, and I protected Lord Geld’s body, which was not in good condition.”
“…Hmph?”
Alone, huh. I can’t even touch her anymore. …And that’s some amazing persistence. You could even call it obsession. No wonder the God of Creation gave up.
He must have really been at his limit, so I’ll go and properly thank him, or rather, console him.
Still, the love is incredibly heavy as soon as I get back. It feels like I ate a whole plate of just the fatty part of tonkatsu for breakfast. It’s weighing me down.
And Geld’s soul still doesn’t seem to be in perfect condition. How pitiful… or not. He was originally a character who kidnapped Millie and died.
But I’ll ask the God of Creation to prepare a new body for me or find some other way to resolve this. I’d rather not live carefree on top of a living soul if possible.
After that, I somehow managed to appease the reluctant Shino and pull her away, then tidied myself up.
First, I took a bath and got completely clean. Then, when I put on my former equipment, including the Cursed Sword, I felt a core enter my heart that had been softened in Japan.
I’m a real powerhouse… or maybe Millie has taken that title, but anyway, I’m a warrior at heart.
“This is nostalgic. Everyone and Shino, you’ve done well.”
“Yes!”
The maids of Waslein had secured all my belongings before Geld could do anything with them, and Shino had kept them safe. As expected, Waslein’s maids are excellent.
“A real sword is great. Maybe I’ll go hunt some monsters to get my bearings.”
Looks like I’m getting pumped up by wearing this nostalgic gear. I feel like I could take on the Final Boss or even the God of Creation right now.
But just as I was thinking that, a booming sound, like a massive door being smashed to pieces in a single blow, echoed from a short distance away.
It wasn’t just the sound; the shock of the destruction traveled as a vibration, shaking the entire building. I can’t tell if my legs are trembling from the vibration or if I’m just frozen in fear.
…Too soon. I’m not mentally prepared for this at all.
“It seems Millie has arrived.”
Ah, my stomach’s starting to hurt.