Volume 8 Chapter 16 The Woman Of The Abyss
We were led by the Demon maids summoned by Cabby to individual guest rooms. Since we didn't know what would happen, I packed my noble attire in my bag, and it was a good thing I did, because I had to change into it.
Not just me, but everyone else changed into their noble attire and came out, and it was hilarious to see how awkward we looked. But the most amusing one was...
"―――Pffft, haha! Mudi You're wearing noble attire too, aren't you?!"
"What's so funny, you stupid disciple...?"
In the guest room we were led to, I pointed and laughed, and Mudi responded with a stern face, his mustache twitching, and a forced smile.
He looked like a gangster forced to wear noble attire, and it didn't suit him at all. He looked like he was rejecting the clothes themselves.
So I answered honestly.
"Because it doesn't look good"
"It's not like that, you trash."
I got hit with a powerful blow that made my head spin, but it was no big deal. I instantly recovered and said, "Ah, that was fun. Let's get out of here!" while distancing myself from Mudi.
"...H-huh..."
Cabby, who was watching our exchange while hiding, turned pale. When I waved at him with a smile, he took a step back with a shocked face.
"D-did... did your head just get blown off...? Am I seeing things...?"
"No, you're not seeing things."
"Y-yes, that's right... Hehe... Sorry for saying something weird."
"This guy's a lightweight."
"!?
While I was giving Cabby a "can't handle it" evaluation, the girls were having a different kind of fun.
"P-p, Philia-san, you're so cute...!"
"Hahah, when you look at me with those sparkling eyes, I get embarrassed~."
Ice was staring at Philia, who was wearing a dress, with wide eyes. Philia was half-embarrassed and half-flustered by Ice's direct words.
To be honest, I was also surprised to see Philia, who usually wears full-body armor, without it, and I couldn't help but stare with wide eyes. She really does have a lovely aura, like Ridge.
"Your limbs are all artificial...? And yet, you're so strong... And your artificial limbs are even decorated, so stylish...!"
"Ah, Ice-chan, cut us some slack around here, okay? This prosthetic arm is just for show, so it looks good, that's all! Just ignore it, okay? Got it?"
Ice, starting with Moruru, is obsessed with cute things... or rather, has a strong maternal instinct. When she's drunk, she even treats me like a baby. Even Philia, who's usually carefree, gets all flustered.
"Well, then, let's get started...!"
Led by the cat-eared Cabby, we set off. The place we're invited to is a large room. The red carpet and fireplace are standard equipment in this cold Nilfheim.
And there, seated deeply on the sofa, are 2 figures.
It's Clay and Sur. The two of them, like us, are dressed to the nines and have demon horns on, blending in perfectly.
"Ah, everyone from the Demon King's army investigation team, this is Crail, a wealthy merchant who has visited my castle. Crail, these are the members of the Demon King's army investigation team."
As Cabby finishes speaking, we exchange a quick glance. We put on a superficial smile. I approach, Clay stands up, and we exchange a smile with hidden intentions, shaking hands.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Wade from the Demon King's army investigation team."
"It's an honor to meet you. I'm Crail, a traveling merchant visiting this area for the first time."
As we're shaking hands with a smile, Cabby suddenly disappears, saying, "Well, then, I'll leave it at that..." It's convenient, but I'm not surprised.
"What a great opportunity. Shall we exchange information?"
"Yes, please do."
Invited by Clay, I sit down on the sofa beside him. Then, I quickly scan the surroundings, thinking, "Now, what's next?"
There are several servants, including a butler and maids, standing at the edge of the room. Honestly, they're a nuisance. Whether I'm talking to Clay normally or starting an investigation about this castle, their eyes will get in the way of our actions.
What should I do about them? I can't just kill them, and I'd like to meet the girl who uses mist sorcery, but what can I do?
I thought to myself, and then I saw a small Philia, dressed in a dress, chatting with the servants.
I tilted my head, watching as Philia went around talking to each of the servants. When she finished talking to the last one, she returned to the center of the room.
"Everyone, since I've completely destroyed the ears in this room, we can move around freely from now on!"
"Huh?"
"Hehehe!"
Philia laughed mischievously and sat down in the largest sofa in the center.
When I looked at the servants, they all had vacant eyes, staring straight ahead. Even though they were standing, they seemed to have lost all consciousness. I realized right away that they wouldn't respond even if I talked to them.
"...What did you do, Philia?"
"Hmm? Are you worried, Wade-chan?"
Philia giggled, placing her right hand on her cheek, and then opened the first joint of her middle finger with her thumb, like a pen cap.
The hollow inside her finger was visible, reminding me once again that Philia's limbs were prosthetic.
The next instant, several thin tentacles emerged from her middle finger, wriggling like they had a mind of their own. The tentacles grasped the opened joint like a lid, and then snapped it shut with a "kap" sound.
"...I'm not worried at all."
"Kyahaha, I was going to tell you, but..."
"I'm not worried, so don't tell me."
"Aww, there's no helping it, I suppose..."
Philia continued to giggle, and Mudi let out a nasal laugh, saying "As expected, she's still a perverted woman." Philia pouted, saying...
"Haven't you been dating that bad woman for decades~, Platinum's Torch Adventurer-san?"
"You're just not dead yet, that's all. I've never abandoned anyone I've teamed up with."
"Kyahaha! If you're feeling disgusted, why don't you go somewhere you can die?"
"Where in this world is a place like that?"
Philia stood up, looking delighted, and sat down on Mudi's knee, who was deeply seated on the sofa. Mudi made a disgusted face and clicked his tongue. I nodded in understanding.
"I see."
"Hey, stupid disciple. What did you just understand? Tell me."
"So, since Philia has a plan, let's talk about it."
"Listen up!"
I ignore Mudi and head towards Clay.
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